Inusah Fuseini urges respect for Mission Schools’ identity in the religious practice debate
Former Member of Parliament(MP) for Tamale Central and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, has urged Ghanaians to respect the historical purpose and identity of mission schools amid the ongoing debate over religious practices at Wesley Girls’ High School.
Speaking on the matter on Newsfile, Mr Fuseini sought to correct what he described as distortions surrounding the involvement of mission schools in education. He explained that the differences in educational investments across religious groups were not a matter of choice, but rather a legacy of colonial arrangements that shaped which forms of knowledge were formally recognised by the state.
“Islamic education arrived in the Gold Coast long before Western education. Muslims did not delay in educating their children; they focused on the Qur’an and Hadith, which were not required in the secular state,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Mr. Fuseini highlighted peaceful coexistence across faiths. “I come from a family with Muslims and Christians, and I attended a Catholic school where I was a member of the Catholic Youth Organisation. Singing Christian hymns and reciting the Lord’s Prayer did not turn me into a Christian,” he recalled.
He stressed that mission schools were established primarily for evangelism and faith-based education, and their character and identity should be maintained. At the same time, he noted that some schools have evolved to accommodate Muslim students, with mosques present on their campuses.
Mr. Fuseini also criticised the decision of Shafic Osman to take legal action against Wesley Girls. “There was no need to sue the school. The matter could have been resolved through dialogue with opinion leaders to explore ways to accommodate Muslim students’ religious practices,” he argued.
He cautioned that issues involving religion are sensitive and evoke strong emotions, urging that they be handled consciously and respectfully, with a view to preserving the integrity of institutions while ensuring freedom of worship for students.
