Constitution mandates religious freedom - Sheihk Bonsu

Dr. Sheihk Amin Bonsu, National Chairman of the Ghana Muslim Mission has called on all heads of institutions to abide by the articles of the constitution which talks about freedom of worship.

He said the constitution has clearly emphasized the need for all Ghanaians to freely worship or practice any religion of their choice and infringing on this right is a complete violation of the rights of individuals.

In an Interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Bonsu said forcing people to worship against their will is not the best practice, as it would bring about non-religious people who would not be committed to what they are doing.

He noted that compulsory church service in schools has deprived most people, especially Muslims, from seeking western education, and this has a long standing effect on the nation since most good human resources have been lost through compulsory religious practices that have existed over the years in most second cycle schools.

He said in this modern times of civilization, such practices must be stopped as it is uncivilized and that is why the constitution states so as well as the Bible and the Quran also states that there should be no compulsion in religion.

Dr Bonsu urged other institutions like the nurses and midwifery council and heads of government hospitals to allow Muslim ladies to be in their hijab, as every Muslim woman’s dignity is in her hijab (veil) and it is a sin, according to the Quran, for a Muslim woman to go out without her veil.

He added that the issue of discrimination against Muslims in terms of admissions to various institutions must also be stopped.

He said every individual’s right deserves to be respected as the constitution does not discriminate against anybody but set out laws that cover every Ghanaian.