You can’t take a unilateral decision to go back to court – Adutwum tells Achimota School Board over decision to appeal

The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has said the Governing Board of the Achimota School in Accra cannot take a unilateral position to appeal the court’s decision to admit Rastafarian students with their dreadlocks.

According to him, the ministry must have a hand in any decision concerning the matter since they plays a crucial role in the running of the school.

He revealed the school’s Board of Directors was appointed by himself, the Minister of Education, while rules governing the running of the school were made by the Director General of the Ghana Education Service.

“Regarding Achimota, I am the Minister for Education and there is a Director General of Ghana Education Service. Boards of  high schools are constituted by the minister, instruction for the running of the schools are provided by the Director General of the Ghana Education Service so tomorrow am meeting with the Headmistress of Achimota together with the Board Chairman,’ he said.

“I was very surprised; he cannot take a unilateral position”.

We will take a decision after Attorney General’s briefing

Dr Adutwum made the comment on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana on Tuesday, June 1, monitored by GhanaPlus.com.

He mentioned a decision would be taken concerning the ruling after he receives a copy of the certified judgment of the court and a formal briefing from the Attorney General.

“I am waiting for the full briefing from the Attorney General who I recommend for going to court and taking a serious interest in this case and when the Attorney General, I sit down with him and he gives me the full briefing after receiving the certified judgment of the court…. so the Attorney General will review that and a decision will be taken,” he said.

Achimota School to appeal court order to admit 2 Rastafarian students

The Governing Board of the Achimota School on Tuesday, June 1 announced its decision to appeal the ruling by the Human Right Division of the Accra High Court, ordering it to admit the two Rastafarian students.

A statement signed by Chairman of the Board said the board disagrees with the court’s ruling and made known its intention to appeal the judgment.

“The Governing Board of Achimota School was represented in court yesterday, 31 May 2021, and has learned of the outcome of the case brought against it by two persons who had earlier applied to be admitted to the School. The court ruled that the religious rights of the applicants had been violated by the School Management as they sought to enforce time-tested and well-known rules of the School. The court further directed the School to admit the two applicants.”

“The School Board disagrees with the ruling of the court. The School Board has therefore directed its Lawyers to appeal against the ruling,” the statement said.

Source: GhanaPlus.com