Statement in defense of Ghana's Christian Mission Schools

As a former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, and a lifelong Christian missionary apologist, I have always championed the pillars of our democratic republic: justice, security, and the unyielding pursuit of harmony among our diverse faiths.

For generations, Ghanaians—Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, and others—have lived together in a tapestry of peaceful coexistence, building this nation through shared values of tolerance, hard work, and communal upliftment.

It is in this spirit of unity that I respond to the recent remarks by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, as reported by Joy News on November 24, 2025.

While I commend his call to end discrimination based on faith—a principle etched in Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution —I must firmly caution against any narrative that risks undermining the sacred autonomy and invaluable contributions of our Christian mission schools.

No child should be denied education, but neither should the soul of our faith-based institutions be diluted in the name of uniformity.

Christian mission schools in Ghana are not mere educational facilities; they are beacons of moral fortitude, discipline, and holistic character formation that have shaped the very fabric of our society for over a century.

From the hallowed halls of Adisadel College (an Anglican stronghold of integrity and scholarship since 1910) to the disciplined environs of St Augustine's College (a Catholic bastion of service and ethical leadership since 1930) and the venerable Wesley Girls' Senior High School (a Methodist pillar of excellence and ethical grounding since 1876), these institutions have produced statesmen, professionals, and patriots who embody the Christian ethos of love, humility, and service to God and country.

Consider the legacy: Alumni like the late President Jerry John Rawlings (from Achimota, influenced by missionary values), former President John Agyekum Kufuor (from Prempeh College, steeped in Wesleyan principles), and countless leaders in business, law, and public service. These schools have instilled timeless values—compassion, accountability, resilience, and a commitment to justice—that transcend textbooks.

They have educated children from all backgrounds, fostering not just academic excellence but spiritual depth, transforming raw potential into national assets. In an era of moral relativism, where societal vices like corruption and indiscipline threaten our youth, mission schools remain bulwarks against erosion, nurturing generations with the Gospel's uncompromised light.

Dr Bawumia's pledge to "end discrimination against Muslim students in publicly funded schools" is noble in intent, yet it evokes a troubling overreach when interpreted as a mandate to override the distinctive religious character of mission-founded institutions.

Publicly funded does not equate to secular imposition; these schools, while receiving state support, operate under charters that preserve their founding faith's ethos.

To suggest otherwise risks transforming Adisadel's chapel into a neutral zone, compelling St. Augustine's to erect mosques at the expense of its cruciform identity, or eroding Wesley Girls' cherished traditions—a libertarian fantasy that ignores the voluntary covenant parents enter when enrolling their wards.

We do not seek to exclude; indeed, Christian mission schools have long welcomed Muslim students, offering them the same rigorous education while respecting their personal devotions where practicable. But reciprocity is the cornerstone of harmony, not unilateral concession.

In this vein, I must commend the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, for his principled stance defending Wesley Girls' Senior High School amid the ongoing Supreme Court suit filed by Shafic Osman on December 24, 2024.

As reported today by GhanaWeb and MyJoyOnline, the AG has rightly dismissed claims of unlawfulness, affirming that Wesley Girls—founded and operated by the Methodist Church of Ghana—is entitled to enforce rules consistent with its Methodist heritage and doctrines.

This defense upholds the constitutional balance between religious freedom and institutional autonomy, ensuring that our mission schools can continue molding young minds without fear of judicial overreach.

D. Ayine's intervention is a beacon of legal clarity in these turbulent times, reinforcing that tax-funded support does not strip away the sacred DNA of faith-based education. Bravo, Mr Attorney General—your resolve safeguards not just Wesley Girls, but the very pluralism that defines us.

As a former guardian of our nation's security and governance, I stand resolute: Ghana's Christians will resist any veiled attempt to "Islamize" our mission schools, just as we would oppose encroachments on Islamic or traditional institutions. Our harmony is not fragile; it is forged in deliberate safeguards for pluralism.

Dr Bawumia, a brother in our shared Ghanaian journey, let us dialogue—not dictate. Let us reinforce the National Peace Council's frameworks, ensuring no child is barred from learning while honoring the divine mandates that birthed these schools.

To Muslim leaders and communities: We have walked this path together, from independence to today, and we cherish your contributions—from the scholarly rigor of T.I. Ahmadiyya to the interfaith bridges built in our mosques and markets. Let us preserve that bond by defending each other's sacred spaces.

In the words of Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Christian mission schools have done just that for Ghana's youth. May our leaders do the same for our nation's soul—upholding values, not erasing them.

The writer, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, is a Christian Missionary Apologist and former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security