One of the two Rastafarian students, Oheneba Nkrabea, denied admission to Achimota School over his dreadlocks, has graduated from Ghana International School (GIS).
In May 2021, the Human Rights Court 1 Division of the High Court in Accra ordered Achimota School to admit Oheneba Nkrabea, the dreadlock-wearing Rastafarian boy, into the school.
The Court first ordered Achimota School to admit Tyrone Marhguy, another dreadlock-wearing Rastafarian boy, before delivering its judgment on Oheneba Nkrabea.
Both students were refused admission to the school due to their hairstyle, which they attributed to their Rastafarian religious belief.
The school’s only consideration to allow the duo entry was for them to cut their dreadlocks, which they [students] did not budge on, having been placed into the school under the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
No amount of criticism by Ghanaians, civil society organisations, and human rights activists against Achimota School compelled it to back down on its decision.
It defended its position, saying allowing deadlocked students was against the school’s rules and regulations.
Though the Ghana Education Service (GES) initially directed Achimota School to admit the students, it backtracked after pushback from the school’s stakeholders and further engagements.
In defence of the school’s decision, the Achimota School PTA said its revised rules and regulations from August 2020 indicate that students must keep their hair low, simple and natural.
At the recent GIS graduation ceremony, the school’s CEO, Dr. Mary Asabea Ashun, hailed Oheneba’s success as a moment of pride and progress: “We have watched this young man grow, and we have been so privileged to be a part of his story here at GIS. Oheneba has been part of GIS. Congratulations, Oheneba.”
She, however, described the decision to admit him as “wise and forward-thinking,” adding that GIS would continue to champion inclusive initiatives.
Nkrabea’s graduation stands not only as a personal triumph but also as a powerful reminder of the impact of resilience and the importance of standing up for one’s rights.
