Activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor has raised concerns over what he describes as societal double standards surrounding hairstyle discrimination, citing the contrasting public attitudes toward legendary musician Daddy Lumba and student Tyrone Marhguy.
In a Facebook post, Barker-Vormawor wrote, “What makes our society love Daddy Lumba’s jerry curls. Accept his braids. Even into his old age. But want to deny Tyrone Marhguy an education for his locks? If we find that, we can fix this country.”
His comments bring renewed attention to the case of Tyrone Marhguy, a Rastafarian student who was denied admission by Achimota School in 2021 because of his dreadlocks. The school claimed his hairstyle was against its code of conduct, a position that sparked national debate and legal proceedings.
Marhguy, who had passed his Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) with excellent grades and had been placed at Achimota School through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), was turned away at the school’s entrance during registration.
Alongside another student, Oheneba Nkrabea, he challenged the decision in court.
The case drew public attention not only because of the school’s refusal but also due to the broader implications it had on constitutional rights, religious freedom, and cultural expression in Ghana.
The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court eventually ruled in Marhguy’s favour, stating that Achimota School had no lawful basis to deny him admission based on his dreadlocks.
