Educationist and former KNUST UTAG President, Prof. Charles Marfo, has called on Ghanaians to support mission schools in defending the values, moral principles, and heritage on which they were established.
Speaking on Oyerepa TV amid the ongoing Wesley Girls’ controversy, he insisted that mission schools must be allowed to uphold their long-standing philosophies without interference.
According to him, the core purpose of boarding schools is to shape the character of young people by instilling values that benefit the entire nation.
“The essence of boarding schools is to gather our young ones so we can inculcate in them values that, in the long run, strengthen the nation. Mission schools have their mission, and it must be respected,” he stated.
Prof. Marfo stressed that admission into mission schools is not compulsory and that their values are clearly known before parents choose them.
“These missions have publicly declared their principles. If you do not agree with their values, do not take your children there. Wesley Girls’ is not stopping anyone from being Muslim; they simply want their students to work toward a common goal,” he added.
He said government support for mission schools does not give government the authority to alter their foundational identity.
“Government aid does not mean government control,” he emphasised.
Prof. Marfo warned that those introducing emotional or religious sentiments into the issue risk igniting future inter-religious conflict.
“Those fuelling sentiments should stop. They are not promoting religion; they are promoting values,” he cautioned.
His comments add a new dimension to the national debate, reinforcing the broader question of how Ghana balances religious freedom, tradition, and institutional identity in its educational system.
