Methodist Church vows full fegal response in Wesley Girls’ supreme court dispute

The Methodist Church Ghana has announced that it is preparing to pursue every appropriate legal remedy to safeguard its position in the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings concerning Wesley Girls’ High School (WGHS). The Church maintains that the school has never engaged in any form of religious bias.

In a formal release, the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson K. Asamoah-Gyadu, disclosed that the Church is taking immediate steps to secure certified documents on the case. This, he said, will enable its legal representatives to “act decisively in defence of the Church and the institution it oversees.”

The legal action, initiated by a Muslim complainant, alleges that WGHS engages in discriminatory religious practices. The Methodist Church firmly rejects the claim, describing it as inconsistent with the historical character of the institution.

According to the Church, the accusation disregards the legacy of inclusivity that WGHS has upheld for nearly two hundred years. For close to 190 years, the school has admitted students of diverse faiths without prejudice.

The statement highlighted that the school has, over generations, educated young women from various religious traditions including Methodists, Adventists, Muslims, Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhists, Hindus, Eckists, Atheists and Agnostics, many of whom now serve in different spheres of national and global leadership.

The Church reiterated that discrimination is fundamentally contrary to both Christian values and the Methodist identity. “Our mission as a Church does not permit any form of discriminatory conduct, as such behaviour stands against the teachings of Christ,” the release emphasised.

It further explained that the school’s long-standing traditions are designed to foster a disciplined, cohesive and orderly environment. Introducing parallel systems of worship or residential life for different religious groups, the Church argued, would disrupt unity and fragment the school community.

The statement also noted that students are only expected to observe the norms that sustain academic excellence and collective unity. The Church insisted that this approach aligns with the nation’s constitution, adding: “We acknowledge the right of every student to practise her faith or non-faith, but this must be done within the context of the school’s established traditions.”

Reaffirming its historical stance, the Church emphasised that the Wesleyan heritage—preserved since 1835 has consistently welcomed people of all backgrounds without discrimination.

As the Supreme Court prepares to deliberate on the matter, the Methodist Church says its commitment remains firm: protecting its institutional interests while promoting harmony among all religious groups.

The statement concluded with a call for cooperation, noting that “The Methodist Church Ghana remains dedicated to peaceful engagement and constructive partnership with all stakeholders to advance understanding and mutual respect across all faiths.”