The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said he hopes for a mutual understanding to exist between Achimota school and the students involved after the court’s verdict
The MP made the statement in a reaction to the court’s verdict directing Achimota Senior High to admit the two Rastafarian students.
In a social media post, he intimated that he is happy for the two Rastafarians who were denied admission. okudzeto
“Terrific news from the High Court! I am thoroughly happy for the two Rastafarian students. Hopefully, all parties would come together based on mutual respect, understanding and compassion in ways that preserves both the iconic reputation of Achimota and the future of the duo.”
Okudzeto Ab;akwa
Mr. Ablakwa is notably one of the people who was against Achimota school for not providing the two students with admission because of their hairstyle.
At the initial and later stage of the issue, he called for an immediate way to fix the situation and asked that the two students and all minority students facing blatant discrimination be admitted immediately.
Dismiss Achimota Headmistress
Meanwhile, the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has called for the immediate dismissal of the Headmistress of the Achimota School.
In a communique following the Human Rights Court ruling, ASEPA also asked the Ghana Education Service to take punitive action to show the protection of students interest.
“The Ghana Education Service must take this punitive action to show that at least they are interested in protecting the rights of students in Ghana.”
ASEPA
This follows the Presiding Judge’s ruling that the fundamental human rights of two students cannot be limited by the rules of Achimota School.
According to ASEPA, the lost time and the emotional stress inflicted on the Rastafarian students must not go without compensation.
“The law that governs this Country, 1992 Constitution is supreme. It provides the basis for the enforcement of the rights of citizens. Any other law or regulation of any school or association is subservient to the provisions of the1992 Constitution, and people such as leaders of educational institutions must be made to understand that you cannot abuse the rights of a child under the guise of rules and regulations.”
ASEPA
The two, Tyrone Marghuy and Oheneba Kweku Nkrabea through their parents filed suits urging the court for enforcement of their fundamental rights to education. The two were denied admission due to their dreadlocks which the school said per their rules ought to be kept down.
Court’s ruling part of a great story
Speaking after the judgment, Tyrone Marhguy said the court’s decision was part of what he termed as a great story.
“The first time I walked through the gate of Achimota,;the first thing I did was to check the time because I knew one day I would be telling a story with it. I had no idea I would be telling one great story in the courtroom about how I was discriminated [against] and how I am back.”
Tyrone Marhguy
He also disclosed that on going back to school, there is a possibility of facing further stigma, but he however assured that he will know how to handle things when the stigmatization starts.
