The National Peace Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 13 faith-based organisations to provide clear guidelines for managing religious diversity in Ghana’s mission schools.
The launch, held on Thursday, September 4, at the Mensvic Hotel in East Legon, brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak; the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak; faith leaders; educational managers; and representatives of the media.
The MoU aims to provide guidelines for government/private mission schools that enable a safe learning environment, preventing discrimination on religious grounds, enhancing greater social cohesion, and promoting national peace
Speaking at the event, the National Chairperson of the Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fiannu, described the MoU as “a unified commitment to fostering peace, inclusivity, harmony, and religious tolerance in our educational institutions.”
He explained that the MoU, validated in April 2024 and endorsed by the Ghana Education Service in April 2025, “represents decades of collaboration between the government and faith-based schools, shaping the minds and hearts of countless Ghanaians.”
Rev. Fiannu also acknowledged the 13 faith-based groups that signed the agreement, saying:
“We proudly recognise the Ahmadiyya Mission, the A.M.E. Zionist Church, the Anglican Church, the Assemblies of God Church, the Baptist Church, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Islamic Mission, the Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, Garrison Education, Police Education, and the Office of the National Chief Imam. Your dedication to education and moral development is a cornerstone of Ghana’s progress, and we celebrate your endorsement of this MoU.”
He highlighted past challenges that prompted the MoU, including the 2021 controversy at Wesley Girls’ High School, where Muslim students were reportedly prevented from fasting during Ramadan.
Other concerns addressed included reports of students being required to remove or wear religious garments, such as the hijab, in schools of different faiths, and a tragic case at Adisadel College where a student reportedly fell from a building while trying to avoid participation in religious activities.
Rev. Fiannu warned that such incidents “risk undermining the peaceful coexistence guaranteed by the Constitution and highlight the urgent need for clear, standardised guidelines.”
Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Apaak also emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting mission schools and fostering inclusive education.
“For decades, religious mission schools have been pillars of Ghana’s educational landscape, delivering not only academic excellence but also instilling values that shape responsible and compassionate citizens,” he said.
Acknowledging recent challenges in mission schools, he said, “Incidents of religious misunderstanding, misinformation, and violence in some mission schools have highlighted the need for a unified approach to managing diversity. Education is a sacred space where every child, regardless of their religious background, should feel respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.”
Dr. Apaak described the MoU as “a blueprint for fostering mutual respect and understanding in our schools” and outlined how it would be implemented:
“We will work together with the National Peace Council, COMU, and religious missions to roll out sensitization programs that raise awareness about the provisions in the MoU. These programs would empower teachers to model inclusivity, equip students to embrace diversity, and engage communities in building stronger, more cohesive, and resilient societies. We envision schools where every child’s faith is respected, where dialogue replaces division, and where education serves as a bridge to national unity.”
He emphasized that “This MoU is more than a document. It is a pledge to uphold mutual respect, promote inclusivity, and prevent discrimination based on religious beliefs. Education is a powerful tool for national cohesion, and by fostering environments where all students can thrive, we strengthen every fabric of our society. Together, we can ensure that our schools remain sanctuaries of peace, learning, and unity.”
Stepping up to the podium, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, highlighted the government’s unwavering dedication to championing mission schools and nurturing a culture of national unity and cohesion.
He acknowledged the decades-long partnership between the Government of Ghana and religious mission schools. “For decades, the partnership between the government of Ghana and religious mission schools has been a cornerstone of our education,” he said, recognizing the critical role these institutions have played in shaping Ghanaian society.
“These schools, established and nurtured by various religious bodies, have contributed immensely to producing a generation of leaders, professionals, and citizens who embody the values of integrity, discipline, and service. This legacy is one we cherish and must protect,” the Minister added.
He also addressed challenges that have arisen in recent times, stating, “We have witnessed incidents of religious misunderstanding and misinformation in some of our mission schools. These incidents, though isolated, pose a risk to the harmony and inclusivity that have long defined our educational landscape and the unity of the country. As a nation that prides itself on unity in diversity, we cannot allow such challenges to undermine the peaceful coexistence that has been the hallmark of our society.”
He praised the work of the Conference of Managers of Education Units (COMEO) and the National Peace Council in developing the MoU, noting that “This document, validated in April 2024, signed by 13 religious missions, and endorsed by the Ghana Education Service, represents a shared commitment to ensuring that our schools remain spaces of learning, mutual respect, and unity. It provides a national framework for managing religious diversity in mission schools.”
Highlighting the importance of the MoU, he continued, “It is not merely a set of guidelines, but a clarion call to uphold the principles of inclusivity, fairness, and respect for all, regardless of religious affiliation. Every student, teacher, and stakeholder in our mission schools must feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to the educational process without fear of discrimination or exclusion.”
Urging for collaboration, he said, “We must nurture, persuade, and work with each other so that in the spirit of understanding, we will implement this Memorandum of Understanding to the best of our ability. This should not be a source of conflict but rather an instrument for building understanding and harmony.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he added, “The government remains steadfast in promoting peace and social cohesion across all sectors. As I officially launch this Memorandum of Understanding today, let us renew our commitment to build a Ghana where every child, regardless of their religious background, can thrive in an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
“Let us make our mission schools models of inclusivity, where diversity is not only tolerated but celebrated as a strength. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of our mission schools endures a legacy of quality education, moral integrity, and unity in diversity,” he added.
Speaking to JoyNews shortly after the event, Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Apaak emphasized the importance of the initiative.
“Education needs a peaceful, serene environment. This MoU is critical because it provides students, educators, and stakeholders with clear guidance on fostering cohesion and unity in diversity,” he said.
Dr. Apaak stressed that the MoU must be more than a document: “We must give it life. Implementation is key. Government alone cannot do it; students, school managers, religious missions, and communities must all be on board,” he said
On the nationwide rollout, he added, “We will use existing structures to ensure every school, including mission schools, adopts these guidelines. A Christian child in a Muslim school—or a Muslim child in a Christian school—should feel respected and included. That is the Ghanaian way.”
“This is a call to action for all stakeholders. Let us work together to ensure our schools remain safe, peaceful, and inclusive. May God bless our homeland, Ghana,” he concluded
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Source: myjoyonline.com
