The Methodist Church in Ghana has responded to reports of a case filed at the Supreme Court against Wesley Girls’ High School (WGHS), saying it is taking steps to secure the official court documents and will defend its interests fully.

In a press release issued on Friday, November 28 and signed by the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, the Church said its attention had been drawn “through the media to a pending suit in the Supreme Court intituled Shafic Osman v. The Board of Governors, Attorney-General & Ghana Education Service.”

The Church noted that although it had not yet been formally notified, it was moving swiftly to obtain the records.

“We are taking steps to obtain the official records of all proceedings… to enable our legal team to take the necessary action to protect the Church’s interests.”

Responding to public claims that the school discriminates against students of other faiths, the Church firmly rejected the allegation.

“It is important to restate the position of the Methodist Church of Ghana regarding the unfortunate allegation that WGHS, as a government-assisted school, is a ‘public school’ engaging in discriminatory practices against students of other faiths.”

The Church emphasised that Wesley Girls’ High School, founded in 1836 by Harriet Wrigley, has always upheld an inclusive approach to education. The statement noted that the school had, for nearly two centuries, trained students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

The Church said WGHS has educated students from “Methodists, Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Eckists, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, Agnostics, Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and many others who have gone on to contribute meaningfully to society.”

The release said that discrimination is “fundamentally inconsistent” with Methodist values. As the Church stated, “The Methodist Church Ghana considers discrimination to be fundamentally inconsistent with Christian teaching, and therefore incompatible with our mission.”

The Church reminded the public that government support for mission schools since the early 1960s has never changed their character. WGHS, it said, continues to operate within its Methodist identity, as allowed by the 1992 Constitution.

According to the Church, students are only expected to respect the school’s long-standing structures. It explained, “All that the school requires of admitted students is respect for its traditions and adherence to an established framework… designed to foster unity, discipline, academic excellence, uniformity and shared experience.”

The statement warned that creating separate systems for students of different beliefs would fragment the school community.

“To create a parallel system where some students of different faith groups eat, sleep, wake, study and live separately would inevitably lead to segregation and undermine the cohesion and collective traditions of the school.”

The Methodist Church also referred to the 15 April 2024 Memorandum of Understanding developed by the Conference of Managers of Education Units (COMEU) and facilitated by the National Peace Council. This MOU, created with input from major Christian denominations and Muslim groups, sets guidelines for peaceful coexistence in mission schools.

The Church stated that it had “fully adhered” to the terms of the agreement.

It further thanked bodies such as the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, and the Anglican Church for their public support on the matter.

Affirming its long-held values, the Church said its “treasured Wesleyan heritage admits of no discrimination whatsoever,” adding that it has always shown “respect for other traditions and faiths.”

The church assured the public of its ongoing commitment to peace and collaboration. “The Methodist Church Ghana remains committed to dialogue and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to ensure peace, understanding, and mutual respect among all faiths and traditions.”