Statement: Return Mission Schools to Churches - CCG

The Church in Ghana has since the pre-colonial era contributed enormously to Ghana’s educational sector by establishing schools across the country. Since that time, the church has been at the forefront of providing education at every level in the country with the purpose of training the mind, heart and hands.

The niche of mission schools is the provision of intellectual and technical ability to students, and the impartation of moral values. These have been the underpinning values in mission schools in time past.

Mission schools such as Mfantsipim School - Methodist Church - Cape Coast, Wesley Girls Senior High School – Methodist Church – Cape Coast, St Monica’s Senior High & Training College – Anglican Church – Ashanti Mampong, Aburi Girls Senior High School – Presbyterian Church of Ghana – Aburi, Prempeh College - Methodist/Presbyterian – Kumasi, Bimbilla College of Education – E.P Church of Ghana and the Presbyterian College of Education – Akuapem, have churned out notable people who are contributing to the development of our country.

However, since the State took over the management of mission schools in the country, we have been concerned with the continuous decline in the provision of quality education and moral formation among students. Also, the inability of the State to manage the schools effectively to fulfil the purpose of the church is worrying.

Most of the schools are now in bad conditions with very little or no maintenance on them by the Ghana Education Service (G.E.S). In addition to that, some of the Heads who are posted by the G.E.S to these schools may not believe in the values of the church for which the schools were established, thereby making it difficult for them to impart into the students positively.

The Church has virtually lost control of the schools it founded, and this is what has led to the fast decline in discipline, morality and the deterioration of our educational facilities.

It is therefore commendable that the Parliament of Ghana has started debating on the need to return the once enviable mission schools to the churches. This debate, should be done objectively, devoid of any politisation with the supreme interest of saving the fortunes of our educational sector.

The Council is of the strong view that, Government must return the schools to the Churches in order to restore the once enviable moral values and quality that was seen in students who attended these schools.

We therefore call on all and sundry to be part of this debate in developing a comprehensive policy with Public/Private Partnership that will empower the church to manage its schools with the overarching objective of training the hand, heart and mind. We assure Parliament and the good people of this country that the Church is ready to manage its schools and will continue to partner with Government to ensure the provision of quality education at every level.

God bless Ghana, and make her great and strong!

Signed by

Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong

General Secretary