Rastafari Council of Ghana disappointed in Bekwai MP, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, for irresponsible comments about Rastas

The Rastafari Council, Ghana (RCG) wishes to express its disappointment at certain disparaging remarks made by the First Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu in connection with the continuing impasse between the Achimota School and dreadlock Rastafari students, who have been refused admission to the school on account of their dreadlocks.  The RCG believes that the remark is unfortunate, reckless and a total deviation by the MP regarding a national discussion to find a solution to a sensitive matter as education of Ghana’s future human resource.

In the ongoing national discussion, the RCG will not allow him to change the narrative under discussion. His presentation on cannabis in this matter is totally irrelevant and the Rastafari community will engage him on a separate national debate on the benefits of cannabis.

The RCG equally condemns the unguarded opinions from groups like NAGRAT as they seek to influence this matter without any empirical evidence and undermine the supreme laws of Ghana for the management and administration of senior high schools. While the RCG is open to comments, opinions and suggestions, the RCG urges individuals to be responsible in their remarks and to resist the urge to make insulting and disparaging comments about the individuals involved and Rastafari culture, in general.

The issue involved in this case is one involving the fundamental right of freedom of religion, a right that is enshrined in the Ghana Constitution, as well as guaranteed under the United Nation Declaration of Human Rights, a document to which Ghana is a signatory.  The importance of this issue demands that great care should be taken by the stakeholders to ensure that all comments issued in connection with this matter are factual and responsible, and not inflammatory.

We would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the encouragement received from our supporters and sympathizers who recognize the historical importance of this issue.

The RCG is encouraged by the fact that the parents of both students are working vigorously with the school to ensure that the students do not miss out on this academic year, even as the matter awaits final resolution.

In the meantime, the RCG eagerly awaits the new guidelines that are to be issued to the senior high schools by the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the RCG hopes that these new guidelines will definitively address the issue of religious freedom by allowing the students to attend high school wearing their dreadlocks as an expression of their faith.

The RCG will have no option than to join hands with other Civil Society Organisations to proceed to the law courts to find legal interpretations and declarations regarding such policies of discrimination that affect members of the Rastafari community.

Signed

Ahuma Bosco Ocansey,

President.