The debate whether or not to allow Muslim women to wear hijab to work has been revisited in Ghana as authorities at the Asokore-Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region are asking officials of public institutions to allow Muslim women wear hijab at work.

The Municipal Chief Executive says discrimination and attempts to compel Muslim women to go against their faith must stop.

Nuru Hamidan gave the directive at the induction of over 100 community health nurses under the youth empowerment agency. 

The MCE warned public officials who cannot abide by the directive would have to leave the jurisdiction, "all nurses within the jurisdiction should wear their views," he said.

However, he added that the institutions can enforce the use of a prescribed veil that will ensure uniformity.

He sounded a word of caution to health facilities not to discriminate against the veiled Muslim women after the Municipal Coordinating Director had issued a directive urging all to observe it and allow the system to work.

In 2015, the spokesperson for the Health Ministry, Tony Goodman, said the Ministry will not condone any blatant disregard for the rules after a Muslim nurse working at the Mamobi General Polyclinic was reportedly asked to go home for wearing her hijab to work.

Related: Hijab saga: Chairman of Ghana Muslim Mission calls for religious coexistence

Mr Goodman said this was “because we have issued express directives instructing them to allow people to practice their religion in their own way and not in this manner.”

The nurse's explanation to her superiors for her decision to wear her hijab was ignored even after she referred to the Health Minister’s directive on the matter.

According to the Muslim nurse, the principal nurse at the hospital week issued a directive to all Muslim medical officers not to wear their hijab to work a week earlier to the sacking.

Mr Goodman expressed disappointment in the development and promised to follow up after admitting that due to the processes such directives go through before reaching the various health facilities nationwide, it is possible that the letters may not have reached some medical centres.

The head-covering scarf  became a sensitive issue last year between Christian education leaders and Muslims ending up at the Supreme Court. 

Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase and Majority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak wants the Supreme Court to be swift in determining the issue. 

"If you think that you cannot stay in our municipal simply because this directive is being given, you are welcomed to leave. We want our brothers and sisters to be comfortable to be part of the society in building this community.

"For more than a year, the Supreme Court has not made its pronouncement, we are still expectant of the Court. They should know that justice delayed is justice denied," he stressed.