FIRST ANNIVERSARY VICTORY OF THE CASE BETWEEN THE RASTAFARI YOUTH AND ACHIMOTA SCHOOL

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Today, May 31st 2022, marks the one-year anniversary when the Human Rights Court of Ghana gave two separate judgments favouring Tyrone Marghuy and Oheneba Nkrabeah after they were unlawfully denied admission into the prestigious Achimota School in Ghana.

We recollect the pain of discrimination and breach of human rights endured by Tyrone and Oheneba when Achimota School denied them admission on the assertion that their dreadlocks violated school rules. The school made this decision although the 1992 Constitution of Ghana abhors all forms of discrimination, in this case their right to education and right to practice their culture and religion.

These two judgments of the Court serve as an excellent example in enforcing the laws of Ghana and has awakened many Africans, especially marginalised groups like the Rastafarian community, about their rights and freedoms enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The judgments now also serve as a precedent for educational institutions not to repeat the unfortunate decision of the authorities of Achimota School.

A year down the road, we wouldn’t want to hear of any maltreatment or discrimination of Rastafarians and we encourage marginalised groups to seek more legal education about their rights, freedoms and obligations under the law.

Education is a fundamental human right and we strongly hope that all parents and the State would ensure that every school-going aged person would have the opportunity to achieve his or her life dreams through formal education.

Although our educational system in Africa is yet to meet the standards of Europe, China and US, we expect that greater investment in education and lifelong learning will enable African Youth to control and manage the continent’s resources for the betterment of African people.

We are determined to free ourselves from all forms of exploitation and dehumanising conditions. African leaders have a prominent role in ensuring that our youth are given the utmost attention and care to prepare for the future irrespective of their faith or culture.

We recognise everybody who helped in this legal case. We would especially like to thank the legal team, the Rastafarian community, Her Ladyship Justice Gifty Adjei Addo for her principled legal position and all the like-minded organisations that mobilised resources to bring the case to Court.

We hope that this decade will see a significant reduction in social and economic disparities in access to educational opportunities and wealth-making across the world. It is our aim to assist our youth in being part of the struggle to change the conditions that breed such social and economic imbalances.

SIGNED

RAS ASWAD NKRABEAH
On behalf of CSIJ (Coalition for Sovereignty, Integrity and Justice), the Rastafari community and all solidarity groups (May 31st, 2022)