In what was a showdown between five academic giants, Achimota School emerged victorious, reclaiming the championship title they first won in 2019.

This year’s final contest featured a formidable line-up: defending champions Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (Presec), Achimota School, St Thomas Aquinas SHS, Chemu SHS, and Accra Academy. With four previous champions in the mix and only one title to be won, expectations were high and tension in the auditorium was palpable.

Since Achimota’s win in the maiden edition of the regional championship in 2019, Presec has held on tightly to the crown, winning it in 2020 and successfully defending it every year since. This year, however, the question on everyone’s mind was whether Presec could defend the title once again or if a new champion would rise.

After several minutes of chants and anticipation from students and supporters, the contest began.

Round one was filled with energy as all five schools traded points from both direct and bonus questions. By the end of the round, Achimota School had taken the lead with 23 points. Chemu SHS followed with 18 points, while Presec, St Thomas Aquinas, and Accra Academy were tied at 14 points each.

The speed race in round two was fast-paced and full of near misses. Achimota opened the round strongly by answering the first question correctly. Chemu missed their chance on the second question, while Aquinas picked up crucial points on the third.

Throughout the round, Achimota, Aquinas, and Presec were the most aggressive, ringing in frequently.

By the end of the round, Achimota and Presec were neck-and-neck, while Aquinas was just behind with 24 points. Chemu dropped to 14 points, and Accra Academy was in fifth with 13 points.

The true or false in round three turned into a heated exchange between Achimota and Presec. Both schools showed remarkable composure under pressure, while Aquinas, Chemu, and Accra Academy tried to keep pace.

Despite their efforts, it was clear that the contest was becoming a two-horse race. At the end of the round, Achimota held a slim lead with 41 points. Presec was close behind with 38 points, followed by Aquinas with 34, Chemu with 24, and Accra Academy with 23.

Then came the final round — the riddles. The auditorium was silent with anticipation. The first riddle stumped four schools, until Aquinas rang in and got it right. Presec answered the second correctly, giving their fans hope.

Achimota bounced back with the third riddle and later secured the fourth after Presec’s miss. Although Presec raised a protest on the final question, their objection was upheld without overturning the result.

In the end, it was Achimota School who triumphed with 44 points, marking a remarkable comeback to the top after six years. Presec finished as runners-up with 41 points and the Greater Accra Region now has a new champion.

The victory marks Achimota’s second regional title since the championship’s inception and sets the tone for what promises to be a thrilling national campaign ahead.

Source: Benedicta Adobea Asare

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Achimota School faced off against West Africa Senior High School (WASS), Prampram SHS, and St John’s Grammar. Despite being the only seeded team in the contest, Achimota did not rest on its laurels.

They came in determined to assert their dominance from the onset. For West Africa SHS and St John’s Grammar, the stakes were equally high.

Both schools may not have had the seeded advantage, but they came into the contest eager to make a strong statement and perhaps snatch a spot in the next round.

Prampram SHS, on the other hand, was making its first appearance beyond the regional qualifiers stage. While they were proud of their progress, they were clearly hungry for more and gave it their all in the contest.

At the end of round one, Achimota School took the lead with 25 points. St John’s Grammar followed with 14 points, closely trailed by West Africa SHS with 13 points. Prampram SHS found themselves in fourth place with 8 points.

Achimota extended their lead in the speed race round by attempting and answering the majority of the questions correctly. They ended the round with 37 points. St John’s Grammar maintained their second-place position with 17 points, West Africa SHS had 14 points, and Prampram dropped to 7 points.

The third round — the true or false segment — saw a mixture of hits and misses from all four schools. Achimota School finished the round with 47 points, while St John’s improved to 30 points. West Africa SHS and Prampram SHS both tallied 17 points.

In the final riddle round, Achimota School solved two riddles correctly, West Africa SHS got one right, and the fourth riddle went unanswered.

That sealed the victory for Achimota, who ended the contest with 53 points. St John’s Grammar came second with 30 points, while West Africa SHS and Prampram SHS both finished with 17 points.

With this win, Achimota School books a well-deserved place in the semifinals.

Benedicta Adobea Asare 

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Read the full statement below:

This electrifying event, held on August 30, 2024, brought together some of the brightest young minds in the region, showcasing their trailblazing STEM projects and hinting at a future of limitless possibilities for Ghana’s next generation of leaders.

The STEMNNOVATION Roadshow made a thrilling stop at Achimota School in Zone 8, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

The atmosphere was electric, with young minds bursting with excitement and ideas that could change the world.

From cutting-edge technology to innovative scientific solutions, the projects on display were a testament to the boundless potential of Ghana’s future leaders.

Deputy National Coordinator of the Free SHS Secretariat and Project Lead for STEMNNOVATION, Nana Afrah Sika Mensah addressed the media, emphasizing the vital role of this initiative in moulding Ghana’s future.

She shared her expertise and perspectives, underscoring the importance of STEMNNOVATION in driving the country’s progress and development.

The judges took the opportunity to assess and evaluate the innovative ideas and projects showcased by the participating schools, gaining insight into the creativity and ingenuity on display.

Source: Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa

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He scored 8As in the provisional results released by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

His performance has earned him the love of many who have described him as indeed a genius.

Marhguy Tyrone was one of the two boys who made headlines in 2021 after being denied admission at Achimota School because of their dreadlocks.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) directed the school’s administration to admit the two students. However, the authorities insisted that its code of conduct doesn’t tolerate such hairstyles.

The boy and his colleague, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, who later reportedly transferred Ghana International School dragged the school to court for denying them admission.

A High Court ruling on the matter on Monday, May 31, 2021, directed the school to admit the students.

However, the school’s Management and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, served notice to appeal the court’s order, arguing the judge erred.

After weeks of legal battle, Tyrone was finally admitted to the school and he has justified his inclusion with his outstanding performance.

Check the results below:

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The stage is impeccably set for the much-anticipated grand finale featuring the top three contenders, Achimota School, Opoku Ware School and Presbyterian Boys SHS.

Opoku Ware School, PRESEC Legon, and Achimota School outshone some of their most formidable rivals in the thrilling semi-final matches to reach the finals.

Collectively, these three educational institutions boast an impressive tally of 11 championship titles. With such a storied history, they are no strangers to the intense battleground of the grand finale.

The impending finale promises to be an electrifying clash of intellect and knowledge, representing a true battle among former champions.

For Achimota School and Opoku Ware, this is a golden opportunity to seek redemption, as they aim to avenge their losses to PRESEC Legon in the 2009 and 2020 finals, respectively.

In the meantime, the defending champions, PRESEC, have their sights set on an exceptional feat: securing back-to-back victories. As the current titleholders, they aspire to clinch their 8th trophy, further solidifying their position as record holders in the competition’s illustrious history.

Below is the rich history and legacy that these three formidable schools bring into this eagerly awaited contest:

Presbyterian Boys SHS (PRESEC Legon)

• Established in 1938
• NSMQ record holders (Most trophies)
• 7-time champions (1995, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020 and 2022)
• 12 appearances at the finals
• 1st Runner-up on four occasions
• The only school to win trophy back-to-back
• Reigning Greater Accra Regional Champions 
• 4-time Regional Champions (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023)
• Motto: “In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen” (In Thy Light We Shall See Light)

Opoku Ware School (OWASS)

• Established in 1952
• 2-time champions (1997 and 2002)
• Nine appearances at the finals 
• 1st runner-up on five occasions (1995, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2016)
• 2nd runner-up on one occasion (2020)
• 2022 Ashanti Regional Champions 
• Motto: Deus Lux Scientiae (God is the Light of Knowledge)

Achimota School (Motown)

• Established in 1927
• Two-time champions (1998 and 2004)
• 1st and only co-educational school to lift the trophy
• Five appearances at the finals
• 1st runner-up on two occasions (1994 and 2009)
• 2019 Greater Accra Regional Champions
• Motto: Ut Omnes Unum Sint (That they all may be one).

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Fourteen years later, they are once again at the cusp of the NSMQ championship in 2023. Their aspirations are high as they strive to win their third trophy.

They go head-to-head against their rivals, PRESEC and the formidable Opoku Ware School (OWASS).

Achimota School’s journey to this finale has not been an easy one. Unlike their competitors, their path started from the regional NSMQ competitions after failing to secure a seeded slot in both 2022 and the preceding year.

Despite falling short of making it to the finals of the Greater Accra Regional Championship, Achimota School’s performance earned them a coveted place among the top schools heading to the national stage.

Armed with determination and an unwavering focus on victory, Achimota School entered the preliminary stage of the national competition, yearning for another triumphant moment.

They proved their mettle right from the preliminary stage, where they amassed an impressive 60 points – the second-highest among all contestants on the fourth day of the competition – securing their spot in the one-eighth stage.

They triumphed over their competitors Notre Dame Girls’ SHS and St Francis Girls’ SHS, with respective scores of 47 and 17 points, clinching the contest with finesse.

At the one-eighth stage, Achimota School faced off against Holy Child School, the runner-up from the prelims, and the seeded school, Assin State College.

With unwavering determination, Motown secured their place on the seeded school list by replacing Assin State College, ultimately booking a ticket to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinal round, Achimota School encountered the 2022 semifinalists, Kumasi High School, and Osei Kyeretwie School. In a thrilling and closely contested match, Achimota School managed to secure 34 points, ensuring their passage to the semi-finals.

As the semi-final approached they were met with an even tougher battle and formidable opponents in both St. Louis SHS and Wesley Girls SHS.

However, they pulled a stunner in the semifinal clash to eliminate their opponents and land at the final slot they have missed for many years.

Now, with this hard-earned opportunity, Achimota School is gearing up to face their old rivals, PRESEC Legon, whom they encountered in their last NSMQ final back in 2009.

They may have ended their finale drought but their competitor PRESEC is hungry for an eighth trophy and OWASS for a third, will Achimota School who also hopes to win the trophy survive?

The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in the pursuit of the coveted NSMQ championship.

Profile of Achimota School

Established in 1927
Two-time champions (1998 and 2004)
1st and only co-educational school to lift the trophy
Five appearances at the finals
1st runner-up on two occasions (1994 and 2009)
2019 Greater Accra Regional Champions
Motto: Ut Omnes Unum Sint (That they all may be one).
The 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service in partnership with Goil PLC.

The broadcast of the National Science and Maths Quiz on JoyNews and Joy Prime is supported by Vitamilk, NASCO, German Ozone Medical Center, Royal Foam, Jamaa Soap, Heritage Christian College, Virtual Security Africa, Ace Medical Insurance, Chopbox Technologies, Sintex Tank, DBS, Built Financial Technologies, Beta Malt, and Family Health University College.

The furniture which includes 200 tables and 200 chairs was purchased with money donated by members of the year group at a special fundraising event held in London.

The group had previously refurbished the school’s physics laboratory. 

The presentation ceremony took place in front of the school’s administration block on Monday, May 23, 2022.

Presenting the furniture, the president of OAA ‘92, Mrs Eunice Amewu Nyadu pledged the members’ continuous support for their alma mater.

She said the donation was, among things, meant to encourage the students to study harder.

“It was also to ensure that they write their examinations in comfort,” Mr. Nyadu added.

The Assistant headmistress in charge of Domestic Affairs of the school, Lydia Mamle Bantey, who received the furniture, expressed the school’s appreciation for what she described as a timely and kind gesture, noting that, the furniture had come just in time for the school’s examinations.

She conveyed her personal gratitude to the 1992 year group and requested further assistance from the members.

The OAA ’92 President, Mrs Amewu Nyadu, was accompanied by Mr Kofi Asmah, a former President, Mrs Jennifer Gertrude Laryea, Secretary and Mrs Celine Owusu-Afari, Organising Secretary. 

Also present were some members of the staff of Achimota School, including Anthony Adjetey, Director of Studies; Eric Asante, Deputy Director of Studies, and Daniel McCarthy, Head of Maintenance.

Mr Marhguy will, for the next two years, be part of the school’s team.

United States-based Ghanaian lawyer, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, revealed this in a post on his Facebook page.

The boy and his colleague, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, who is now said to be at Ghana International School dragged the school to court for denying them admission.

A High Court ruling on the matter on Monday, May 31, 2021, directed the school to admit the students.

However, the School’s Management and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, a few days ago, served notice to appeal the court’s order.

They argued the court erred in its judgment, hence the decision to appeal.

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Mr Azar, who cannot fathom the school’s insistence on kicking the boy out of the school, urged him to ignore the noise.

He wrote: Achimota has named Tyrone Iras Marhguy in its squad for the National Maths and Science Quiz for the next two years and it is in court, with the assistance of the State, seeking to kick him out of the school. 

Look, our problems are simple. It is our solutions that complicate them. Congrats, Tyrone, ignore the noise!.

Read the post below:

The boys, Tyrone Iras Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea had dragged the Achimota School Board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the Attorney General to court for refusing to enroll them with the explanation that they had to shave their dreadlocks in accordance with the School’s regulations.

However, on May 31, 2021, the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court presided over by Justice Gifty Agyei Addo ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students cannot be limited by the rules in question.

Justice Gifty Agyei explained that she does not think the Achimota School and proponents, including GES and the Attorney General’s Department, have made a compelling argument as to why those two students should not be admitted, especially given their rights to education as well as their rights to express their religious freedom.

But appealing the ruling, Achimota School argues that the High Court erred by indicating that the rules and regulations of the school with regard to ensuring uniformity in appearance is unlawful and interferes with one’s religious rights.

In view of this, the school is urging the Appeals Court to set aside the judgement of the High Court and order the plaintiffs to comply with the school’s regulations if they choose to be students of the school.

Backing this stance, the AG’s department insists the judge erred in her ruling. The AG further goes on to argue that, the decision by Achimota School does not interfere with the right to the education of the boys.

“The learned Judge erred when she held that the regulation of the 1st Respondent requiring that students keep their hair low amounted to an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to suspend the manifestation of the Applicant’s guaranteed freedom to practice and manifest his religion….

“The learned Judge erred when she held that Respondent’s actions of asking the Applicant to step aside during the registration process are a violation of his right to dignity especially when the 2nd Respondent had disputed the veracity of that fact,” parts of the appeal by the AG’s office stated.

Background

In March this year, Achimota School issued admission letters to the two students but indicated that they would only be enrolled on the condition that they shave their dreadlocks in accordance with the School’s academic regulations.

However, an Accra High Court has ordered Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian students it denied enrollment.

The Governing Board of the Achimota School subsequently announced its decision to appeal the ruling by the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court, ordering it to admit the two Rastafarian students.

However, upon intervention by the Attorney General, the two students have been admitted. They participated in the end of semester examinations on Friday, June 4.

Mr Amuna reportedly died after he drowned while swimming at the Granite Point Snake River with his colleagues on a fishing expedition, Saturday afternoon.

The School took to its official Facebook page to pen a brief message backed by a video from his speech at his graduation.

He was said to be a Chapel Prefect in the 2013 year group while with the Guggisberg House.

The post, among other things, touted the academic exploits of the 27-year-old man.

Mr Amuna graduated with Masters in Electrical Engineering in December 2020 from the University of North Carolina and was the 2020 Graduate School Commencement Speaker.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering from KNUST.

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Until his demise, he was working at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories as an Associate Engineer- Engineering Rotation Programme.

Check out the full post below:

The school authorities have since been directed neither to allow anyone to visit the premises nor allow anyone to go out for the next two weeks.

This comes after some 135 students of the school tested positive for Covid-19, with most cases said to be the new Delta variant.

Hence, the directive is part of measures to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading to the communities.

The Director of Public Health at GHS, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, confirmed the partial lockdown in an interview with Joy News.

He added that Day Students of the school are supposed to stay at home for the next two weeks.

“We are not going to allow any visitation in the school for the next two weeks. The day students are going to be kept at home for the next two weeks, while those who are positive [for COVID-19] are going to be kept in isolation,” he explained.

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Some 135 students of Achimota School have tested positive for Covid-19, with most cases said to be the new Delta variant.

According to the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, the first three cases were detected in some students between June 14 and 16 this year.

He explained that the development sparked a mass testing regime in the school.

In all, 843 persons in the school, including students and staff were sampled as of July 1, 2021.

Out of the 550 samples received, 135 returned positive, he said.

“All 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or had very mild to moderate illness,” he said.

So far, 89 students have recovered while 46 of the remaining cases are still active, the GES Director-General added.

Meanwhile, the GHS and the Ghana Education Service say measures are being put in place to improve health education in the institution.

Master Marhguy arrived in the school in the early hours of Friday, June 4, 2021, with his father to complete the admission processes.

He was assigned his General Science class to begin academic studies following the smooth procedures.

However, he had to move straight to take part in an ongoing end-of-term examination which was being conducted in the school.

His father, Tereo Marhguy, who expressed satisfaction with the admission processes, was confident his son will excel in the exams despite missing out on lessons.

“He was cool and when the Director of exams asked if I was going to allow him take the exams, I said yes we will let him try and take it on and he also said he was cool,” the father stated.

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Mr Marhguy stated they were warmly welcomed to the school and they were very surprised at the friendly atmosphere.

“They told us nobody was taking anything personal; the headmistress was friendly, teachers and all the staff and they assured us he was in safe hands,” Mr Marhguy added.

The boy and his colleague, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, dragged the school to court for denying them admission.

And a High Court ruling on the matter on Monday, May 31, 2021, directed the school to admit the students.

This follows the admission of his co-Rasta student, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

The students, Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, sued the school’s Board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.

The court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, on Monday, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students cannot be limited by the rules in question.

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Master Marhguy, who has declared his intentions to pursue General Science, had earlier revealed he is done with part of the syllabus.

He disclosed on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen that he downloaded the syllabus and online notes to help him study on his own while waiting for the court’s ruling.

Ghanaians have reacted massively to his photos which have gone viral on social media.

This follows an Accra High Court’s ruling on Monday, May 31, 2021, that ordered the management of the school to allow the students to enroll.

The students, Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, sued the school’s Board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.

The court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students could not be limited by the rules in question.

Reports indicate Mr Nkrabea arrived at the school with his parents in the early hours of Thursday, June 3, 2021, to complete the admission processes.

He has since commenced academic work as he has been assigned a class to join his colleagues.

The other Rastafarian student, Tyrone Marhguy, is yet to go through the admission process.

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The photos, which have gone viral on social media, have garnered congratulatory and goodwill messages for the student.

The decision, he said, follows a stakeholder engagement during which it noted it will not be proper for the students to be denied education.

However, Mr Dame has indicated the offer of admission does not mean the case has ended as the school will proceed with their appeal.

“The school will pursue the matter on appeal without having a stay of execution in place which will have the effect of stopping the children to be enrolled on the school’s register but the appeal will give a final and definite position on the matter,” he said.

He made these remarks on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, adding that a decision to deny them admission will also defy President Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision on Education in Ghana.

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“The President will be concerned about any action which will prevent them [Rastafarian students] from going to school. Such a decision will not be in accordance with the president’s vision for all children to have secondary school education,” he added.

The two Rastafarian students, Tyrone Iras Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea dragged the Achimota School Board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the Attorney General to court for refusing to enroll them with the explanation that they had to shave their dreadlocks in accordance with the School’s regulations.

The court, presided over by Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, on Monday, May 31, 2021, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students cannot be limited by the rules in question.

He said although the school has served notice it will appeal the court order, the intention to appeal does not stop the children from being admitted as has been instructed by the court.

Ras Aswad Nkrabea, a parent of the two Rasta students, has said he is taking the boys to school himself.

He told Alfred Ocansey on the Sunrise show on 3FM that an intention by the Achimota School to file an appeal against the court ruling will not stop the children from going to school.

“We are taking the boys to school today,” he said.

The Governing Board of the Achimota School has instructed lawyers of the school to file an appeal against the court ruling which ordered that the two Rastafarian students, Oheneba Nkrabea and Tyrone Marhguy, who were denied admission into the school, be admitted.

The Board said it disagrees with the ruling of the court which was delivered on Monday, May 31.

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To Mr Nsowah, who is the council chairman of GES, the school has a decade-long culture which the students needed to adhere to once they accept the admission offer.

“Every school has its rules and they contribute to its distinctiveness. Achimota became what it is because of its culture. If we are all want to hide behind religion to have our way, there will be a time people will take fly-whisks to our schools and we wouldn’t complain,” he said.

He argues though the students’ hairstyle may not affect their studies or other students, there is a need for uniformity in the various schools.

The students; Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea sued the school’s board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.

The court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students could not be limited by the rules in question.

Reacting to the development on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, he said compromises on the part of the Achimota authorities, the parents as well as the students would have brought an amicable solution.

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 “If the parents had adopted a solution to the situation, we wouldn’t have gotten here because when they go to the schools to enroll after the placement, they are presented with the school’s rules and regulations.

“You’ll then have to make a decision as to whether or not you’ll stay and you sign that. But in this case, the parents took a different approach and there was no compromise because we didn’t know the ramifications,” he added.

He said he is done with part of the syllabus to aid his studies.

He revealed this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, following an order by the  Human Rights Division of the Accra High court for the School to admit him and one other, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea.

The students sued the school’s board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.

The court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students could not be limited by the rules in question.

Mr Marhguy noted he couldn’t sit at home idle with everything that had happened over the past two months.

“I have been in the house for the past two months but I downloaded the syllabus and online notes to help me study on my own while we waited for the court ruling.

“My sisters, who are also general arts students at St John’s Grammar, helped with the core subjects,” he stated.

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He added: “I am convinced I’m up to date with my colleagues and won’t lack anything when I resume school.”

To prove how ready he was, he gave a tipoff on what his colleague General Science students per the syllabus as at now will be learning.

“In biology for instance, they will be learning about living cells and micro-organisms among others which I have dully covered and ready to continue with them,” he added.

Their lawyer, Ras Tetteh Wayo, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, noted that they would have to go and complete procedures to aid their academic work.

This follows the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court’s order for Achimota School to admit the duo; Tyron Iras Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea on Monday, May 31, 2021.

The court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, ruled that the fundamental human rights of the two students could not be limited by the rules in question.

When asked what will be the next line of action if the school defies the court order, Mr Wayo noted they will sue for contempt.

To him, the court has ruled the regulations of the school violate the rights of the students and does not see adherence to be a difficulty for the school.

“The ruling states that they have the right to manifest their religion and that will be through their hair so they are coming back to the school with the blessing of the court.

“We don’t think the school can order them to cut their hair once they start,” he noted.

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The students sued the school’s board of Governors, the Minister of Education, Ghana Education Service and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.

The applicants asked the court to “declare that the failure and or refusal of the 1st Respondent (Achimota School Board of Governors) to admit or enroll the Applicant on the basis of his Rastafarian religious inclination, beliefs and culture characterised by his keeping of Rasta is a violation of his fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 constitution, particularly Articles 12(1), 23, 21(1)(b)(c).”

The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court has ordered Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian students.

The Human Rights Division of the High Court, presided over Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, ruled that the fundamental human rights of two students could not be limited by the rules in question.

The issue, as expected, is already trending on social media.

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According to Joy News’ Kweku Asante, only parties were allowed inside.

He said the Court clerk, who gave the directive, said she was acting based on instructions from above.

Over two months ago, Achimota School refused to admit two students with dreadlocks – Tyron Iras Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea – due to their refusal to cut their dreadlocks.

The two students were posted to Achimota School by the Computerised School Placement System but the school authorities claimed it is against the rules of the school to admit students with dreadlocks.

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The school came under intense criticism over this decision with some describing the decision as backward. The Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers supported the decision of the school.

The Ghana Education Service subsequently ordered Achimota School to admit the students but later made a U-turn on its stance.

In the heat of the social media debate, Tyron Marhguy went to seek admission at his second choice of school, Saint John’s Grammar but was again refused admission because of his dreadlocks.

Over two months ago, Achimota School refused to admit two students with dreadlocks – Tyron Iras Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea – due to their refusal to cut their dreadlocks.

The two students were posted to Achimota School by the Computerised School Placement System but the school authorities claimed it is against the rules of the school to admit students with dreadlocks.

The school came under intense criticism over this decision with some describing the decision as backward. The Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) supported the decision of the school.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) subsequently ordered Achimota School to admit the students, but later made a U-turn on its stance.

In the heat of the social media debate, Mr Marhguy went to seek admission at his second choice of school, Saint John’s Grammar but was again refused admission because of his dreadlocks.

Directing his suit at the Board of Governors of Achimota School, the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education and the Attorney General, the two students are urging the court to among other things make: “A declaration that requiring Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea a child and adherent of the Rastafari religion and creed, to either cut his hair or forfeit admission into Achimota School, a public senior high school, is a violation of his rights to dignity…contrary to articles 15 and 28(3) of the Constitution, 1992 and section 13 of the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560).”

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The students are praying for: “An order directed at the respondents herein to permit Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea [and Tyron Iras Marhguy] a child and adherent of the Rastafari religion and creed, to enter Achimota School for the purpose of completing registration formalities and to begin academic work.”

They are also praying for an order of perpetual injunction directed at the respondents herein either by themselves, their agents or assigns restraining them from further violating the rights of Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea a child and adherent of the Rastafari religion and creed.

The Attorney General’s Department argued before the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Gifty Agyei Addo, that schools under GES could not be sued.

According to Madam Stella Badu, a Chief State Attorney, because Achimota School was under GES, the Board of the School did not file a response to the suit, hence A-G’s representation.

The Court, however, ordered that the Board of the school files its reply within four days after being served court’s proceedings.

The AG also raised a preliminary legal objection to the capacity of Mr Marghuy to initiate the action of suing the parties.

Mr Dame, who moved an application on the capacity of the plaintiff, said the applicant could not institute such an action against the school in the first place.

But on Monday 31st May, the court will deliver it’s verdict on the issue.

Father of one of the two boys denied admission by Achimota School over their refusal to cut their dreadlocks, Ras Aswad Nkrabea, says he is confident, the Human rights division of the Accra High Court will order the school to admit the Rastafarian students.

“I have been clear from the beginning, that I am expecting that the Constitution will rule and reign. That the rights of the child, the rights to religion and so on will be upheld. Because it is clear in the Constitution,” he stressed.

At a hearing on Thursday, April 22, 2021, it emerged that Achimota School had still not filed a response to the suit, despite being directed by the court to do so.

The Attorney General has however filed its response and another one on behalf of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

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The Attorney General, however, argued that Achimota School and the Ministry of Education have wrongly been sued.

The court thus directed the School to file its response and written submissions, if any, by the 30th of April 2021.

The same directive applies to all other parties to the suit.

From the floor of Ghana’s Parliament, through to social media, the conversation about hair has been ‘bloody’ or anything but temperate. Neither Achimota SHS, nor the boy and his family have been spared the effusions of the angry mob. Like snipers, shots have been fired from supporters of Tyrone aiming to break what they say is the great Chinese wall of bigotry, mindless, primitive, intolerant, backward acts of discrimination and lawlessness against minority groups in Ghana.

In firing their shots some have attempted a history lecture on slavery and colonialism and how that, they say have eaten away the mental capacity of those who are in vehement support of Achimota’s decision to maintain low hair-cut policy which has been implemented for years in Achimota and across public schools in Ghana.

The supporters of Achimota have not been idle. They have fired back insisting on the sanctity of rules which have to be observed and obeyed especially at the basic school or risk opening the floodgates of religious expressions if the obstinate position of Tyrone and his siblings is allowed to stand in Achimota. In defence of Achimota, some have sadly made insidious comments about why Tyrone should not be tolerated with his hair on.

Yet there are those who are gravitating towards a middle ground, emphasizing the need for a bigger discussion on the matter to identify the point of intersection between the rights of children, the need for rules and regulations in schools and how both can operate side-by-side. Opinion pieces from Mrs Grace Eshun Headmistress of Ghana International Schools and music icon Samini are few examples of the nuanced perspective on the matter. This piece is geared towards putting the debate into its proper perspective, clear some misconceptions, emotional outbursts, misinformation and unhealthy dogmas but also to highlight the genuine interests by some to correct injustices within our educational system.

The colonial/slavery debate

 You may have heard a lot of people blaming the low hair cut rule in our schools on colonial masters and why they think the policy is a continuation of the colonial mentality to strip the Ghanaian of his dignity and his or her sense of self. This rule has nothing to do with slavery or colonial mentality. If anything, it has everything to do with Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of using education as a tool for peacebuilding and national cohesion. I will delve deeper into this but let me first establish the role and power of hair in our socio-cultural development.

Hair Power

DS Essah (2008) in her “Fashioning the Nation: Hairdressing, professionalism and performance of gender in Ghana, 1900-2006” lucidly chronicled the spiritual (ethnic), economic, (status) political (symbol of power) expressions of hair before and after independence. Hairstyles have always been a medium of communication. Essah also highlighted how the power of hairstyles was used in arguably one of Ghana’s best local movies of all times “I Told You So” and how Elizabeth Sheppard, the makeup artist of the movie built her status, wealth around the power of hair. In the Akan tradition, as DS Essah rightly pointed out, long-hair was portrayed as one of the attributes of sasabonsam, a powerful deity in the dense forest. Some of the hairstyles were also symbols and representations of power and status. For instance, there was the ‘atiko pua’ hairstyle which was only meant for queen mothers and her princesses; no one was allowed to wear such a hairstyle.

Now, after colonialism a number of hairstyles, evolved just to respond to the vestiges of colonialism and to exemplify the African identity. Key amongst them was the afro and wigs. So right from the 60s our mothers and fathers were often spotted with wigs and afro long hairs, with combs specifically made to symbolize black power.

Schools are extensions of our homes. Whatever we do in our homes we are likely to do them in schools if they are not regulated. As Bush and Saltarelli (2000) will have it, “Children do not come to the classroom as blank slates”- they bring accompanying practices, attitudes and behaviors. These afro and the hairstyles communicating all manner of things, I reckon found its way into schools from the basic right through to the higher levels of learning.  

Education for peace and national cohesion

With this background on hair and all its representations, can we go back to Nkrumah’s vision of using education as a tool for national cohesion and peace building. Shall we? There was a time in our history where the survival, peace and unity of our nation demanded that all ethnic, religious, creed, and other representations be sacrificed for the sake of one national identity. Nkrumah gave little room for expression of anything of power, ethnic, religious origins in schools especially the basic schools which now include secondary school, whilst still promoting peaceful coexistence amongst ethnic groups through the boarding system of education. There was the need to ensure some level of uniformity and conformity to a national identity. How could he achieve that if one student brought a hairstyle representing how wealthy and powerful she was and another feeling unsafe in a school environment because a colleague is wearing a long hair that has come to be associated with sasabonsam. How could he achieve that if one student came in a wig or an afro with combs, pens sticking out of their hairs or another with scalp showing like a new slave or a product of ‘dipo’ prepared to be shipped off to a man? So yes, cutting your hair low (without showing your scalp), no matter your ethnic, religious, status affiliation was a requirement for admission in public schools.  If you doubt it, just take a look at pictures and read the philosophies of Nkrumah’s Young Pioneers.

The school was essentially a place for the kids to learn about national ideals. I dare say that the “No vernacular” dictum which was dutifully implemented across all schools was in furtherance of the national agenda whilst still giving room for some major local languages to be taught. Were there people who kicked against this policy by Nkrumah? Yes and they were referred to as “neocolonialists.” Were the rights to free expression of religion, ethnic, identities taken away from people. Yes!! Was this policy in the best public interest of the country at the time? Yes!! I have no doubt. All across Ghana, including Nigeria, Cameroon Rwanda, Burundi, Ivory Coast, name it, countries have imploded at one point or another because religious, cultural and ethnic expressions were allowed without a shred of allegiance to a national cause. Even in Ghana, wherever religious/ethnic sentiments have dominated we have seen violent conflicts.

So these rules in schools, including the low hair cut have served us well, never mind the view of how backward, mindless and bigot’s supporters of the rule have been described this past few days.

Now did the 1992 Constitution in Articles 21, 17 (2) explicitly take away these rules from the schools knowing too well, the history of our country and what our ethnic, religious affinities can do if they go unregulated in schools? I am not a lawyer, yet, but I do not think so. There are have been mixed interpretations of Article 14 1 (e) of the Constitution which allows, for the purposes of education and welfare of the kids, for their personal liberties to be curtailed. And while our 1992 constitution is open to the expression of rights it has given situations where, in the public interest, the rights can be curtailed. Is the policy against the expressions of religious, ethnic, and other creeds still relevant today, as it was immediately after independence? Yes. I sincerely think so. Must we allow, the kids from 10 to 18 come to school with the best and worst of everything in their ethnic, religious backgrounds? I sincerely don’t know. But what I do know is that if you allow hair to be expressed with all the ethnic, religious and status symbols it comes with, you cannot prevent another who believes the wearing of an amulet around his wrist or waist for protection from expressing himself. Will the floodgates be opened if Tyrone is allowed? Well if the floodgates are still present, you can never tell.

So yes, if the supporters of Tyrone want him in the school with his hair on, they must as well accept all forms of religious and ethnic expressions in our schools, not just hair. Will it be a safe environment for the kids to learn? Maybe, maybe not. America is a blessed country but its rules, laws are fashioned along their age-long beliefs, cultures, political history. Each country has laws that have roots embedded in the culture, history, politics of that country. We can and should, as a country take a second look at our rules but not be oblivious of where we have come from as a country.

NB: My name is Nathan Gadugah, a Dangme with an Ewe name, with very close friends who are Gas, Ashantis, Ewes, Hausas etc; a devout Christian with many Muslim friends some of whom have become brothers; a man who loves women and fights for their interest in educational/corporate settings and other places where rights are trampled upon; a  Ghanaian villager who has travelled to at least four other countries, including Nigeria and UK; a disappointed footballer who played Colts/Interco football with Asamoah Gyan, ‘Rastaman’ Konadu, Adamu,(Sariki a Muslim playmate) at BT International and shared Christian and Muslim prayers before and after matches; lived in La, Teshie/Kotobabi/Newtown a Muslim community. I am also a journalist, writer, PR consultant. I cannot for the life of me, be anything close to bigotry and or have any prejudices of any kind.

The Education Minister indicated that once the controversies are addressed, the Director-Director of GES will issue fresh guidelines to all heads of Senior High Schools (SHS) with regards to the handling of issues of such nature.

“I don’t think GES rescinded anything. But what I will tell you is that the Chief Director of the Education Ministry together with the Director-General of the GES, the parents and the headmistress have been in meetings.

“They’ve been meeting. Thursday, there was a long meeting here. We will find a solution to the crisis and thereafter GES will issue a directive to all headmasters and headmistresses as to what to do in such a situation,” he said.

The two Rastafarian students were refused admission to the Achimota School over their failure to trim their dreadlocks.

The school authorities justified the move with claims that it is against the rules of the school to admit students with dreadlocks, thus, if the students must be admitted, they must conform to the rules of the institution.

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GES waded into the controversy and issued a directive for the embattled students to be admitted but the headmistress refused to kowtow; insisting they must trim their dreadlocks.

But speaking to Daniel Dadzie on On The Record which will be aired at 8:pm Monday, March 29, 2021, on Joy Prime channel, the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe Constituency intimated that Achimota remains a beacon in terms of education excellence and cannot be defined by a story of exclusion.

The Education Minister vowed to ensure that the school maintains its brand as a citadel of academic excellence.

“I do not believe that Achimota’s history is going to be defined by a story of exclusion. Achimota is a great institution and we will do everything to ensure that it maintains its brand as a great institution of repute,” the Education Minister said.

Dr Adutwum, however, urged Ghanaians to calm down as various stakeholders find a long lasting solution to the stalemate.

According to a report, the teachers were from the Omega Junior High School (JHS) where the Rastafarian and his two sisters enrolled at JHS 2.

It is reported that this was the fourth basic school Master Marhguy had been in as his family had lived in Kumasi, Aburi, Kasoa and finally Ablekuma.

His English teacher, identified as Christabel Agyemang, described the character of the young man in these words:

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“Tyrone was a good boy, respectful, clever, and very intelligent. He was a very cool and calm boy. He couldn’t do any harm.”

His Information and Communications Technology (ICT) teacher called Daniel Nyarko also revealed: “There was a time I was teaching ICT and I had to combine both classes, and then I made an error in the lesson. But then, he came to me personally to prompt me, so I don’t feel bad for making a mistake. I was like ‘Wow! What a brilliant child’.”

Another teacher, Patience Debrah said she was heartbroken when she found out that he had been refused entry to Achimota School because of his dreadlocks.

She added: “He didn’t have any bad record. We think Achimota School should give him a chance and then they will attest to the fact that he’s really good.”

Mr. Speaker, a vigorous national debate is raging outside the confines of this hallowed chamber following the decision of management of Achimota School to deny two Rastafarian students wearing dreadlocks admission unless they are willing to cut their hair and conform to the school’s rules. 

It is worth noting that the insistence by the school’s management continues despite the students: Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea having qualified for admission under the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) and despite an earlier directive from the Ghana Education Service (GES) instructing that the students be admitted. 

Mr. Speaker, the controversy has not been short on drama and extreme passionate positions by various actors as matters appear to have reached fever pitch.  The apparent vacillation by the GES which suggests that it lacks a definite stance on the matter has further muddied the already turbulent waters.  Adding to the intricacies is what many consider the hardline position the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has taken on the vexed matter in issue.

Before I proceed further, I shall like to humbly appeal to all parties to calm tempers. All the key actors must beat their swords into ploughshares and be willing to find an amicable resolution of the matter for where there is a will there is a way.

Mr. Speaker, as someone who has been both a student leader (President of the National Union of Ghana Students, before that Press Secretary of the University of Ghana Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and much earlier Trustee of the Greater Accra SRC in my secondary school days) and therefore for many years advocated for the rights and welfare of fellow students and as one who later became a policy formulator and implementer as Deputy Minister for Education; I intend to share what I respectfully consider to be an objective perspective on the matter with the view to attempting some recommendations on the way forward.

Article 17 (2) of the 1992 Constitution is unambiguous: “A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status.”

Article 21 (1) (C) further provides: “All persons shall have the right to – freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice.”

Article 28 (4) is emphatic: “No child shall be deprived by any other person of medical treatment, education or any other social or economic benefit by reason only of religious or other beliefs.”

These Constitutional imperatives together with our enviable status as the first country in the world to ratify the treaty on the Convention of the Rights of the Child on 5^th February, 1990 impose an obligation on all of us to be circumspect in fashioning out policies, rules and guidelines that if proper care is not taken could undermine or be injurious to the wellbeing and the rights of the child.

Mr. Speaker, it is also trite knowledge that various educational institutions at all levels strive to maintain discipline by adopting a code of conduct, school rules or general “dos and don’ts” to regulate the school environment.  Without a doubt, the absence of some level of rules and regulations may lead to anarchy which could impede smooth academic work.  Let us be honest, even in the broader society, the essence of law is fundamentally to prevent anarchy and the nastiness and brutishness of man as Thomas Hobbes will put it.  It is in that same regard that various institutions including non-academic institutions such as this Parliament has rules contained in our Standing Orders which regulates our conduct and outlook in many respects.

That acknowledged, the question therefore must be – how do we formulate and apply school rules in such a way that they are not inconsistent with our Constitution?  How do we ensure that school rules do not rather become counterproductive by stoking the embers of discrimination, prejudice and hate?  How do we ensure that school rules respect minority rights and that marginalization is not further entrenched by the unwitting codification of majority rights?  How do we ensure that different sets of rules do not apply to persons from varying backgrounds or races considering the evidence emerging that in some schools their rules on maintaining short hair does not appear to apply to foreign students who are allowed to keep long free flowing hair?  How do we ensure that school rules respond to modern enlightenment?

In addition, we also need to carry out a sincere reflection on our notion or understanding of discipline. How does a mere hairstyle affect discipline or militate against discipline? What really is the concern about dreadlocks by African students and yet there seems to be no worries about long free-flowing Caucasian hair?  Why is it that we do not take issue when our teenage female students wear wigs but we immediately get alarmed if they decide to wear dreadlocks or treat their natural hair in any form or shape they please?  If I may ask: how does your hairstyle determine the content of your character?

Mr. Speaker, we must also be more honest to admit that though the current debate has been triggered by the plight of the two Rastafarian students, other minorities such as Muslims, Traditionalists and Atheists have faced and continue to grapple with severe discrimination in our school system.

Mr. Speaker, the current debate should afford us the opportunity to carry out sweeping reforms. When one observes the Ghanaian education landscape, there is clearly a kaleidoscope of varying rules from private to public schools. Like many, I am yet to come across any convincing research that pupils in more liberal private school environments grow up to be less useful to society when compared with their counterparts in so-called stricter public school environments.

I recall that as one of two Deputy Ministers to Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, we fought against the rules/practice in many public schools where pregnant girls were dismissed and prevented from writing their final examinations. We also sought urgent reforms in the Colleges of Education after the passage of the Colleges of Education Act, 2012 (847) which made them fully-fledged tertiary institutions and insisted that compulsory rules on wearing uniforms and dismissing pregnant students must no longer be countenanced.

Mr. Speaker, in many other jurisdictions, far reaching reforms have taken place about school rules so as to build a fairer, just and equitable society. Let us not through school rules introduce an apartheid regime albeit via the backdoor.  This is the reason I will condemn statements to the effect that Rastafarians should build their own schools.  As a non-presbyterian who was admitted to PRESEC, I am absolutely offended by such reckless statements. 

As I have noted earlier, we need to rethink our concept of discipline in our schools.  Getting pupils and students to appreciate diversity and the beauty of different backgrounds, beliefs and creeds does not undermine discipline by any stretch of imagination. Tolerance and accepting unique identities at that age cannot be inimical in any educational system.  It is rather an awesome positive quality to imbibe in our children.  In any case, don’t our children see the people we are refusing to admit all around them in real life and in their reading materials?

We must quickly fix this mess and get away from the distraction.  The two students and all minority students facing blatant discrimination must be admitted in the interest of their supreme welfare as the Children’s Act, Act 560 demands. The real threat to discipline, edification and progress in our schools are not Rastafarians. The real threats are: bigoted incendiary textbooks, outmoded curriculum, poor teacher motivation, lack of investments in quality and access, poor attempts at embracing blended learning, STEM and AI, and an erratic double track system.

Let me be clear, I am not opposed to all school rules and traditions, I am opposed to those that are patently discriminatory and backward. Mr. Speaker, I believe the time has come for this House and the Ministry of Education to set minimum standards and clear parameters consistent with our laws on what constitutes acceptable rules in our schools.  The current chaotic ecosystem cannot be allowed to prevail.  We should be guided by our history – the remarkable vision of Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah in building national cohesion and cementing bonds of coexistence by the boarding school policy he championed. My fear is that if we do not pay due regard to the current deterioration, all those gains which have spared Ghana ethnic conflict and identity tensions shall be eroded.

I thank you Mr. Speaker.

The rapper, in one of his Instagram posts, said it breaks his heart that the school authorities denied admission to students because they were Rastafarians with dreadlocks.

According to Reggie Rockstone, he attended the same school with his wife, hence they have decided to put everything on hold if it has to do with Achimota School.

I have read some embarrassing stuff… my whole family got locks and I am glad the argument came up. We will learn. I am putting an embargo on Motown… it means I am not down with Motown until we get some stuff right.

I am a pan-African and it’s not flying with me… I have been supportive of my school and we have thrown parties – a proud one – but now no. I am looking confused because I am seeing pics of white folks with their long hair and everything… they tell me day students I don’t know… One article that offends me has to do with them allowing Caucasians to keep it wow… Let’s fix this it’s very embarrassing, he said.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reggie Rockstone (@reggierockstone711)

In another video, Reggie Rockstone said he gets emotional when he thinks about the subject.

My wife was there. I had a great time but this one I don’t like. So don’t call me for nothing. No more year group. We on pause because I like to go where I am welcomed. I’ll leave my politics for myself and we will work behind. I wont say boycott but its on pause [SIC], he maintained.

Meanwhile, dancehall artiste Samini has also slammed the school over the issue in his latest post on social media.

According to him, public schools have always tolerated religious rights and could not fathom why Rastafarianism should be an exception.

Kwaku Azar, as he is popularly called, cited how Achimota School allowed Major Boakye Gyan, then student to practice “ancestral worship” to buttress his point.

“Achimota allowed Major Boakye Gyan to practice his ancestral worshipping religion. Allowing Rastafarians to wear their dreads will not interfere with any educational objective,” he wrote on Facebook.

The freshman, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, was denied admission after he refused to cut off his dreadlocks.

Achimota School authorities, backed by its Parent Teacher Association, insist as part of the rules of the school, all students must have low-cut hair.

But many critics, including Professor Azar, argue that, using the dreadlocks as the only condition blocking his admission into school is unfair.

Below is his Facebook post:

Although master Nkrabea and another Rastafarian student were posted through the Computerised School Placement System, they were unable to enrol into the Senior High School because of their dreadlocks.

Following this, his father revealed in an interview with JoyNews that his son is presently receiving treatment at a psychological institution in dealing with the ordeal.

“There have been damages because the boy went through a whole lot of trauma. We had to take the child to a psychiatric hospital because of the fact that he was traumatised by the whole issue,” he told Manuel Koranteng.

According to him, the wavering stance of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on his ward’s enrolment has contributed to his child’s trauma.

“One would ask the question, why would a so-called reputable and respectable institution say one thing, and in the next moment do something else? To me, I find that very hypocritical and it means that their arms have been twisted for them to come out with that position.

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“You say something on Saturday and then you change your position on Monday without explaining to the public why you are changing your position. So to me, it doesn’t make much sense to me,” he stated.

In an earlier directive by the GES, Director-General Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa said the authorities of Achimota School cannot refuse to admit the two students.

“You cannot say that you will not admit someone on the basis of the person’s religious belief and so we have asked the head to allow the children to be in school,” he explained.

However, after a recent meeting with the GES and the Achimota School authorities, Mr Nkrabea revealed that the GES backtracked on its earlier decision and refused to enrol the two Rastafarian students.

“Because when I was in the meeting, it seemed that they were bowing to the Headmistress as if to say the school is superior to the constitution. The GES is there to work for the people and not for the leaders of the school. In that meeting there was condescending behaviour from those there.

“They scorn dreadlocks, they scorn the African culture and they scorn Rastafarians. Their attitude was like ‘you are nothing so we can tell you and do anything we feel like doing and that was their approach’,” he narrated.

He also indicated that the only alternative provided by the school for the two students to be admitted was for the wards’ dreadlocks to be cut off.

“In that meeting, they claimed that the only way they will be accepted in the school is to cut the child’s deadlocks and we said no. Why should I do that when the constitution has given me the right? It has given the child the right to his religion and to have his culture,” he stated.

Meanwhile, lawyer for the Rastafari Council, George Tetteh Wayo, said the Council is looking to enrol the boys in another school.

“The kids will still go to other schools, we know other schools will still admit them. The young man, who had six (Aggregate 6), is part of a triplet, his two sisters have gotten admission at St. John’s Grammar,” the legal practitioner said.

According to Mr Wayo, the denial of admission to two Rastafarian students over their dreadlocks may come back to haunt the school years to come.

To him, these students may become prominent persons in society who will bring glory and honour to the school, however, the current situation will forever deprive the school of that glory.

“Authorities of Achimota School should know the rejected stone will one day become the corner stone and they will be put to shame because of these brilliant students.

 “If it was God’s plans to make them the first astronauts in Ghana through Achimota, now that has been cut off but I know God will raise them to the highest point in their academics and Achimota will be put on its knees,” he declared.

Mr Wayo said these on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen as she reveals plans to go to court for legal interpretation over the matter.

He noted the issue has now become more of a legal matter than morality, hence requires the interpretation of the law to put the matter to rest.

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“We have no choice than to go to court because the issue is now more of legal issues now than morality since the Ghana Education Service’s directive was a façade and fake and it was obvious they backed Achimota,” he added.

Meanwhile, he added with the students’ admission to Achimota still hanging, the parents would have to look for alternative schools for them. 

The freshman, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, who refused to cut his dreadlocks to be admitted to study at the Achimota Senior High School, is set to seek admission in another school.

This comes after authorities of the school had insisted that as part of the rules of the school all students must have low-cut hair.

“The kids will still go to other schools, we know other schools will still admit them. The young man who had six (aggregate 6) is part of a triplet, his two sisters have gotten admission at St. John’s Grammar,” the legal practitioner indicated.

Authorities of the school had explained their action formed part of the school’s rules which needed to be complied with.

However, Mr Wayo said he was confident that “there are schools out there that have opened up.”

According to him, there was a young man in Kumasi Okess, who, as of last Friday, was also facing the same scenario “but the information we are hearing this morning is that he’s gone to school.”

Despite an earlier directive by the Ghana Education Service to the school to allow him and another colleague, it has been strongly opposed by the school and its old students’ association.

But the Rastafari Council lawyer maintains the founders of the Achimota School had no plans of discriminating during admission.

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“So if Achimota School wants to be adamant when Kwagyiri Aggrey and our forefathers were building Achimota School, they built it with the idea to educate the black man.

“They did not build the Achimota School with the notion that somebody’s dreadlocks must stop him from becoming Ghana’s first astronaut,” he added.

He has, however, threaten to go to court to seek redress.

Speaking on The Pulse, Ras Tetteh Wayo said that during a meeting with the GES and the headmistress of Achimota School, in which one of the parents was present, the GES said the purpose of the statement released by the Service was to quell the public outburst on the issue.

“So the GES didn’t really mean what they said. As I speak with you now I can confidently and authoritatively state that the GES publication we all saw some few days was a façade, a fluke.

“It was just to deceive the citizens of this country to believe that the GES is going to restore peace. So Ghana should be aware of how the matter has now unfolded and at this meeting, GES supported the position of Achimota headmistress,” he said.

Mr Wayo said that the GES in the meeting stated that it stands with the headmistress of Achimota School that the two students have been admitted, but they must cut off their dreadlocks in order to enrol.

He stated that Rastafarian Council is shocked by the GES’ reaction and thus they will look at other ways of resolving it.

GES Directive

The GES on Saturday instructed authorities of the Achimota School to admit the two first-year students who reported on campus with dreadlocks.

The directive followed the massive debate on social media after reports that the school had refused to admit the children although they gained admission.

Many Ghanaians were not pleased with the school’s decision to not admit the students though the constitution demands that no person should be discriminated against.

NAGRAT Decision

However, following the GES directive, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) called on the GES to reverse its directive to Achimota School.

Speaking at a press briefing, the President, Angel Carbonu, said that the directive from GES to Achimota School threatens conformity and discipline in schools.

“We are calling on the GES to redirect the Headmistress and the staff of Achimota Senior High School (SHS) to ensure that the rules and regulations of Achimota SHS and indeed any other Senior High School are obeyed by every student.”

Meanwhile, Achimota School has also rejected the directive stating that the school will not compromise on its school rules.

However, the Rastafari Council says it is willing to use other avenues to ensure that the students will be given the chance to pursue their education without compromising on their beliefs.

“It is really a disservice to this country that managers of institutions can sometimes deceive the entire nation. It reduces their reputation, it reduces the trust we have in these public institutions and that alone gives us the leverage to look at other alternatives,” he said.

Mr Nimako has urged all the educational stakeholders as well as the parents involved to tread cautiously in dealing with the matter.

According to him, all the parties involved must consider the adverse effect the outcome of the process may bring on the students involved.

“The parents must not assume the school authorities have no right but instead, they should engage the authorities in the right way.

“If there are reasons why they can’t cut the hair, the parents must explain that if not, this will create unhealthy banter and the child will end up not enjoying the school,” he said.

He said though the children’s act covers these students and guarantees their free access to education, the school has every right to discipline them.

Lawyer Nimako made the remarks while speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Commenting on the directive of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the authorities of Achimota School to rescind their decision, he said the outfit was walking on a slippery path.

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“I believe GES does not want to offend the law so they are being very careful with their decisions so far as their matter is involved.

“If you stop the students’ access to education because of dreadlocks, you are denying their fundamental rights. So in order not to create any unhealthy banter, all the parties must be engaged,” he urged.

According to the association, the directive of GES constitutes a breach of the formal regulation and governance of the school.

The old students have, however, described arguments and opinions around the Rastafarian student’s admission as healthy and have called for its continuation.

A statement signed by the President of the old students, Ernest Aryeetey, has therefore urged GES to allow the school’s governing board to handle the matter.

The school on Thursday, March 18, 2021, turned away two students; Oheneba Nkrabeah, and Irah Marhguy who appeared in dreadlocks after they were posted there through the Computerised School Placement System.

The story generated massive debate on social media after one of the boys’ fathers, Raswad Menkrabea, took to Facebook to narrate their treatment at the hands of school authorities.

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Reacting to the development, the Director-General of GES, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, said authorities of Achimota School cannot refuse to admit the two students.

“You cannot say that you will not admit someone on the basis of the person’s religious belief so we have asked the head to allow the children to be in school,” he said.

Read the full statement below:

According to the politician, the constitution forbids such treatments, hence it would be apt if the decision is reversed immediately.

Taking to social media to register his assertion, part of Mr Mubarak’s statement said:

Not accepting them into the school because of their dreadlocks is degrading treatment which is frowned upon under article 28(3).

The school may have its rules, but those rules, and all other rules and laws are subservient to the constitution of Ghana. The supreme law of the land is the constitution.

Earlier, one Ras Aswad Nkrabeah alleged that his son and others with dreadlocks were denied admission at the Achimota SHS.

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This morning, the school authorities of Achimota School claimed that their rules do not allow students with dreadlocks to be admitted. The school authorities denied two brilliant dreadlock students from being admitted after having been posted there by the Computer School Placement System.

My son was one of the affected children and the other student was also refused on the same grounds. We have no option but to battle against this gross human right violation, he said.

Read his full post below:

A disgruntled parent, identified as Raswad Menkrabea, who announced this on his Facebook page, said his son is one of the affected students.

According to Mr Menkrabea, his son gained admission through the Computer School Placement System only to show up on the reporting day, March 18, 2021, to be met with such news.

Describing it as a gross human right violation, he vowed to battle the situation out, adding that the dreadlocks do not cause any harm to the children to be denied admission.

“He equally deserves the right to access education within his culture just like other cultural believers. As a Rastafarian, I think that dreadlocks do not cause any harm which should even be a basis to be assisted by the school authorities.

“The fundamental question to ask is what does our law say about the right to one’s culture? Do you deny a child access to education based on his/her culture? Do public school rules override the supreme law of the land?” Parts of his lengthy Facebook post read.

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He backed the post with photos of his son in the school and that of the other student who was spotted with his long broom, bag and other essentials required of him.

This post has been welcomed with mixed reactions on social media.

While many people have described it as unacceptable and discriminatory, others believe it is no big deal, adding that the students should cut their hair to secure admission.

Meanwhile, the management of the school is yet to comment on Mr Menskrabea’s allegations.

Read the full post below:

Mr Poku’s information comes in the wake of news that the Ghana Education Service (GES) was making moves to draft the school into existing public schools.

A notice by the GES of its intention to take-over the school effective today, January 27^th, 2020 threatened a clash between the school’s administration and GES after the later also hinted new staff would be employed.

According to Mr Poku who spoke to Adom News, although the directive by the GES was to take effect today, normal school work continues as neither external personnel nor teachers have been posted to the school.

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“We have not heard any word from the GES and everyone; the teachers and students are still in class. All I know is we are in school and everything is under control,” he explained.

Meanwhile, a parent, Frimpong Manso who was present in the institution explained he had to be present for fear of what might happen to his ward should there be a clash.

Teachers and parents are calling on the GES to stop harassing them in an attempt to take control of the school which has been in existence for over 70 years.

Addressing the media, one of the spokespersons of the school, explained that the GES’ decision will have a negative toll on the pupils as some are set for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

“They told us the take-over will happen on 24^th and by 27^th new teachers and administration will be brought in. Some pupils will write BECE and how will the pupils familiarise themselves with the new teachers and pickup before their final exam?” he quizzed.

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Furthermore, he revealed the school is undergoing infrastructural projects which are being financed by the Parent Teacher Association and alumni and it will be a big blow if these projects are discontinued.

“On December 23, 2019, GES called on the heads to deliberate on the take-over which was set to take effect on 24^th January. We registered our displeasure with their decision and they asked us to write an official proposal on how we want the school to run,” he said.

He revealed they asked GES in their proposal to fund the school since it is a non-profit making venture which focuses on nurturing the pupils rather than demand fees.

According to him, since they sent the proposal, they were awaiting a response which came a bit too late only to be informed the take-over still stands and their request trashed.

The spokesperson warned GES to rescind their decision which can lead to “chaos and probably bloodshed.”

Old students of the school headed to court, seeking to stop the work of developers who had encroached on the school’s lands.

For years, parts of the land belonging to Achimota High School had been invaded by land guards and developers who were said to be putting up structures without permits.

But the Court on Monday ruled that, the lands in question belong to the Achimota School. The school has therefore been given the power to reclaim the lands from encroachers.

The ruling was given by Justice Aduamah Osei, after seven years of litigation.

The judge dismissed the claims brought by Netlynk and 66 others against the School, and instead upheld Achimota School’s counterclaims.

The court however held back on judgement on the question of which of the 67 encroachers would be liable to pay damages for the destruction, and to have their property repossessed by the School.

The court thus ordered lawyers to file legal arguments on this question by 4th July 2017, for final orders in that respect to be made on 17th July 2017.

The court also found that:

1.The properties of Netlynk and the others are on the School’s land;

2.The Oku We and the Owoo families had no title to the areas encroached on and had no right to grant leases of land to other people;

3. Netlynk and the others were not “bona fide purchasers” and were reckless in acquiring their respective purported grants from the Oku We and Owoo families;

4. Netlynk and the others have trespassed onto the School’s land; and

5. The School is entitled to repossess its land and to damages for the destruction caused to the School’s properties including the farm and sewage system.