Ghanaian legendary hiplife musician, Reggie Rockstone has intimated that there is no evidence shows that students perform poorly when they keep their hair.
Speaking in an interview on an Accra-based radio station, the ‘Grandpapa’ of hiplife emphasized that there is no way the hair of Rastafarian students will affect their performance. He said if for anything at all, they are brilliant students. That’s how come they landed admission to Achimota Senior High. Therefore, he doesn’t buy into the notion that, keeping their hair will interfere with their studies. He also stressed that things have changed. So, the school authorities should also amend their rules to fit the new world.
“I think the rules need to be amended because, time changes. A lot of things have changed and we have become more polished. There is no proof on any level that shows that keeping your hair will have interference with your studies. I understand it’s a school rule. But today that we are in the 21st century, leaving your hair to go to school doesn’t affect the teacher; it doesn’t affect other students”.
Reggie Rockstone strongly opposes decision by school
The ‘Plan ben’ hitmaker listing reasons why the school needs to amend its rules also mentioned that if the school authorities allow foreigners to keep their hair when they gain admission to the school, then what stops them from allowing the Rastafarians to keep their dreadlocks.
“They need to change it because this is the new day. Two, they are colonial rules. You need to understand that we have an identification. We are Africans and of African descent. So, if you will observe closely, there were pictures that sprang up. It proves that the school allowed foreign students in the school and they kept their hair. So how about that, are you telling me they were distracted?”
Reggie Rockstone who is an alumnus of the school disclosed that his colleagues who completed the school with him are not surprised that he is opposed by the decision of the school management. The veteran musician also said that he couldn’t fathom why judges still wear blonde wigs but authorities are frowning on students with dreadlocks.
“I am very opposed to it and I don’t think any of them are surprised about it. What even annoys me the most is that they say it’s our culture. When you go to the courthouse you will find big men still wearing that blonde wig. Meanwhile, the white man who brought that thing is no longer wearing it”.
He later advised that Ghanaians should cultivate the habit of adapting to new things and stop leaving in an archaic world.
“I love Ghana so much and that is why I am even still here… Let’s stop all these ‘colo'[outmoded] mentality. It’s not helping us and let’s move on. Give these children an education”. reggie reggie
Rastafarian Students denied admission
His remarks on the matter follow a series of events that started with the Headmistress of Achimota School denying 2 Rastafarian students’ enrolment into the school. This subsequently generated a massive debate on social media with many claiming that the students have been denied their right to education.
This decision by the school started a nationwide debate on the constitutionality of the school’s actions, drawing reactions from various stakeholders in education, resulting in a debate on the matter in Parliament.
Read also: LET’S NOT PRETEND THAT THE RULES ARE FOR EVERYONE- LYDIA FORSON TO NAGRAT
