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My heart bled and I became furious when school officials at Achimota High School allegedly refused admission to two brilliant students with dreadlocks. The way in which those who ran educational affairs discriminated against students because of their natural hair was both nauseating and sinister.
However, for the Ghana Education Service (GES), ordering the school to admit Rastafarians is a real mark of progress in maintaining order in the midst of change and maintaining change in the midst of order. I am happy that GES has decided to peacefully accept the calls for change. The bugle’s appeal to the court of public opinion was clear. Another reminder of the power of social media if we use it wisely. Kudos to GES and to all good-hearted Ghanaians who have added a voice to this choir for change.
It is undeniable that in Ghana, young girls, especially those in public high schools (SHS) are not allowed to braid their hair. This practice has been going on for years, so students who braid their hair from childhood must cut their long hair just before entering SHS. While education authorities might have a reason to insist on this practice, I mean many adults don’t realize how traumatic it is for girls to cut their long braided hair. What is wrong with dreadlocks? For all you know, people who find the GHG directive problematic wear the hair of an old Brazilian woman, but find nothing wrong with it. Remnants of colonialism, indeed.
If there has been a guideline from the GES to standardize the admission of school-aged youth who are Rastafarian to graduate schools, we should also start the process of normalizing the conversation to enable girls who want to keep their hair in high school do it freely without prejudice. They shouldn’t be bulldozed to cut their hair if they don’t want to. It’s even the least of worries, because some are punished and eventually have scissors in their hair.
Given that, maybe we need to have a conversation about allowing young girls to grow their hair naturally on campus. End the era of pushing scissors through their hair to be overgrown. I have heard many arguments that have been raised to justify action. They should forget the idea that it will prevent them from engaging in meaningful academic activities. The bottom line is that dreadlocks (having hair grown naturally) are not criminal and should not be used to discriminate against anyone, especially here in Africa. Any contrary opinion arose out of colonialism. Rules such as braiding the hair in a cornrow backwards or keeping it in a tight bun could be introduced and enforced so that there is uniformity and decency.
Without a doubt, Muslims got the victory for allowing their wives to wear the hijab on campus years ago. However, there are still some educational institutions that treat these young girls as if they are not part of Ghana.
They should allow Muslim girls to wear their hijabs and stop forcing them to attend church services. What kind of bias is this? Why isn’t anyone shouting about this too? I remember how Muslims were forced to attend religious services and how they are punished when they refuse to attend. Isn’t that part of our culture as Ghanaians as well? Isn’t that also a group of religious beliefs? Ah!
This is unacceptable and definitely requires the same energy. If a school that is supposed to be the stronghold of enlightenment fails to demonstrate informed decision making, then we are doomed. But here is a good step and a victory for a company that deserves to be saluted. What is education if it is not inclusive, encouraging and reasoned rather than focusing on the unnecessary? I believe that we will definitely overcome this so that our children do not experience a similar situation in the not so distant future. Let us move forward in unison and synergy as a nation, and let us continue to prosper to be better.
Author, Bright Philip Donkor, is the best African Journalist’s Article Writer for Economic Opportunities Training (AJEOT-2020); a prolific gender activist, columnist and editor.
Writer’s Email: [email protected]
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