Our attention has been drown to various media reports relating to a recent occurrence at Wesley
Girls High School, Cape Coast. started with a student who requested of the School Authorities to be allowed to fast during Ramadan
Fasting is undertaken by students for various reasons and observed differently by the respective
groupings have had varied health implications on our students over the years. The net effect was that students developed various health conditions. The School, therefore, took the decision, then, that irrespective of one’s religious background, the fasting was not permitted.
it was therefore imperative that to ensure that the health of students was not compromised vis-a-vis the
organized school schedules, this long-standing practice had to be maintained.
This was the basis for the refusal by the school Authorities of the girls request to fast during Ramadan.
Having been appraised of the facts of this case, the minister for Education met the Presiding Bishop
Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabere Boufo and some Board members of Wesley Girls High School The School Authorities made it clear that it had no intention whatsoever, of interfering with the religious practices of any group of students, but had prioritized the health of young girls placed in their care.
The Minister advised the Ghana education Serve to put in place measures to address this matter
bearing in mind the rights of students and concerns of schools on the health risk associated with the fasting
The Ghana Education Service, therefore, directs authorities of Wesley Girls High School as well as any
other school to allow any such student who wishes to fast for any religious reason to do so
The parents of any such student are also directed to write to the school indicating that the school shall not be held liable for any health condition of the student as a result of the fast
Staff, students, and the general public are to take note.
