The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (MOESS) on Thursday inaugurated a seven member committee to investigate the death of Master Gafaru Abdul Rahman at the Adisadel College, in Cape Coast.
The committee is headed by Mr. Dua Adonten General Manager of Ghana Post, with Alhaji Arimeyao Shaibu - General Manager of Islamic Schools and The Very Reverend Dr Richard Foli, a former head.
Other members of the committee are Osaberima Nana Ansah Sasraku III, Omahene of Mamfe Akuapim, Dr. Fiifi Mensah, Parent Teacher Association of Adisadel College, Mrs Awo Nkani Managing Director Phoenix Insurance Company Limited, and Air Commodore Richard Awuku (Rtd).
The committee will submit its report by Friday, May 16, 2008. Professor Dominic Fobih said the committee is to investigate the routine Sunday activities of the school, find out whether the activities breached the school rules and regulation as well as government policies on education, whether members of staff on duty were performing their official duties and whether there has been any petition from student or parents with regard to Sunday morning routine activities.
According to Prof. Fobih the committee was also tasked with the responsibility of finding how students had access to the new block, whether the students found in the block were all Moslems or from different religious denominations, the general state of affairs in the school with regard to discipline, investigate the extent of co-operation among members of staff in enforcing discipline in the school and other related issues.
He said the decision to form the committee was influenced by the fact that issues of discipline have become an important subject in modern times and the ministry has taken serious view of the unfortunate incident at the Adisadel College a couple of months ago. Prof. Fobih said, the government is committed to ensure that education is accessible to all irrespective of race, religion, or status and that education is provided in an environment that would ensure effective learning and teaching.
The Minister said, the government and Ghanaians were shocked at the death of the student who jumped to his death as he was about to be punished for not attending Christian Church service since he was a Muslim.
