No fasting at Wesley Girls – Methodist Church rejects GES directive

The Methodist Church of Ghana has declined to alter the policies of the Wesley Girls High School on the orders of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to allow students to fast.

GES issued the directive after the school prevented a Muslim student from participating in the annual 30 days of fasting and prayer in accordance with the Islamic religion.

The school said students are not allowed to fast due to health conditions, and the rule applies to all pupils, including Christians.

Following instructions by GES to allow voluntary participation in such religious practices, the Methodist Church of Ghana, which established Wesley Girls High School, said: “The Methodist Church cannot accede to the unilateral directive issued by the GES and insists that the Ghana Education Service respects the long-standing partnership between the government and mission schools”.

This was contained in a release signed by its Administrative Bishop, Rt. Rev. Micheal A. Bossman.

“The school rule in question is a long-standing one which is also non-religious, and various renowned Muslim ladies in Ghana have passed through the school, adhering to such rules. The policies of the school over the last 186years of its existence have resulted in Wesley Girls High School being the school of choice, excellence, and achievement, and the church remains in full support of these policies”.

Student fasting controversy

A Muslim father had accused the school of preventing Muslim students from fasting.

Ishmael Zakaria Alhassan visited the premises of the Cape Coast-based missionary school on April 26, 2021, to withdraw his ward, Bushira Ishmael, after receiving a call from his daughter over the school’s refusal to allow Muslim students to fast.

He, however, rescinded his decision after discussions with the school’s headmistress.

GES subsequently released a statement asking the school to reverse its decision.

GES directed Wesley Girls High School and all other schools to allow Muslim students to observe the Ramadan fast, with the written consent of parents, not to hold schools responsible for any health complications.

However, the directive may not be implemented as the Methodist Church of Ghana maintains its stance.

The statement from the church has sparked controversies on social media, with a cross-section of users criticising the church.

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