The Executive Director of Child Rights International (CRI), Bright Appiah has intimated that despite the governing board of Achimota appealing to court against its ruling, the Rastafarian students still have a right to attend school.
Speaking on the communique issued by the board disagreeing with the court’s decision,;he said the students have earned the legitimate right to be enrolled in the school devoid of any intimidation.
“We expect that the children will be accepted in Achimota School. They will enjoy every right they deserve to enjoy in that environment while the appeal goes on. If the court decides to grant them the injunction pending the ruling of the appeal,;then that is also another matter altogether. But so far as we are concerned, the right of these children must be given to them.”
Bright Appiah
Moreover, he averred that the school authorities are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. He then assured of his outfit’s support to protect the fundamental rights of these two students.
“As to whether they want to appeal and this is relating to the governing council of the school, there are other administrative staff that must work and they should continue to deliver whatever it is to the benefit of these children.
“Once a ruling has been given, all the things that are required for the fulfilment of that ruling, for me, should continue and then we would ensure that the lawyer for Tyrone would enforce that and then whatever we need to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected, we will also go ahead and do that.”
Bright Appiah
Denial of students, contempt
Mr. Appiah further indicated that it would be a case of contempt should Achimota School deny;the two Rastafarians admission on the basis it has filed an appeal.
Prior to this,;the Board of Governors of the Achimota Senior High school disclosed that they will file an appeal against the courts order to admit the two Rastafarian students.
This new development comes as the school took a stand that they disagree with the court’s ruling on the issue.
In a communique the Governing Board of Achimota School said;“it has learned of the outcome of the case brought against it by two persons who had earlier applied to be admitted in the school. The school board disagrees with the ruling of the court.”
In March this year,;Achimota School issued admission letters to the two students but indicated that they would only be enrolled on the condition that they shave their dreadlocks in accordance with the school’s academic regulations.
Clearly unenthused,;Tyron and Oheneba sued the School’s Board of Governors,;the Minister of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the Attorney General to enforce their fundamental Human Rights.
The applicants asked the court to;“declare that the failure and or refusal of the 1st Respondent (Achimota School Board of Governors) to admit or enroll the Applicant on the basis of his Rastafarian religious inclination, beliefs,;and culture characterized by his keeping of Rasta,;is a violation of his fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 constitution.”
