Punishing students for practising their religion is wrong – Lawyer

Private legal practitioner Kofi Diaba has said that punishing students for simply practising a religion they believe in is against the constitutional rights.

Twenty-two students of Wesley Girls Senior High School in Cape Coast, in the Central region, have been nabbed by school authorities for practicing occultism.

According to sources, the culprits were grabbed during their ceremony to induct a new leader for the sect as the current leader is expected to graduate in June this year. Most of the students involved were first and second year students who had been initiated. The outgoing leader of the group is reported to be in Abban House, a very popular House of the Methodist school.

Speaking to 3fm, Mr. Diaba said even if students in a mission school are alleged to be practicing a religion different from the one prescribed by the school, a thorough investigation is required before drawing any conclusions.

“I think that the investigations should be conducted and maybe it may turn out that there is not much occultism involved in it.

“Whatever it is the school has to conduct an investigation and that is the only way they can find out whether their code has been breached and if it has then the necessary sanctions must be applied.

“If it has been breached simply because they are practicing their religious beliefs then the constitution will not permit it.

“When we talk about occult, it is something that is hidden so it is religious practices which are not openly discussed”.

The situation has, however, created fear and panic amongst students, and parents who are alarmed their children could be brainwashed.