Deputy Speaker: Identity of rastafarians is weed-smoking

First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu has said the practice of Rastafarianism involves the smoking of weed and that any attempt to compel Achimota School to accept the two Rastafarian boys will be a bad precedent for the country.

He spoke on the Floor of Parliament.

The Rastafarian students were barred from beginning the academic year at the Achimota School because of their dreadlocks.

A section of the general public has rebuked the school for taking such action.

An earlier Ghana Education Service (GES) directive for the school to admit the students was rejected by the management of the second cycle institution.

This was supported by the Old Students Association and the Parents and Teachers Association of the school.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Osei-Owusu otherwise called Joe Wise called on the general public to hasten slowly in pressuring the school to admit the students.

“…but I also get worried about the attempt to rope in Rastafarianism as a religion. If we do then we complicate the matter for the young man. The reason is this, if you study Rastafarianism, it involves the smoking of weed, it includes the smoking of weed and weed is an illegal substance. It is not a substance that is permitted to be smoked.

“Indeed, if you recall, one of the persons that have been brought before this house for contempt of Parliament was one person claiming to be a Rastafarian who went on air to say that MPs smoked weed. He was brought to this House, he was put before the Privileges Committee and he was found guilty of contempt of Parliament, and he was made to apologize and told to go and sin no more.”

Joe Wise added:  “so, I think that reference to religion and so on will complicate the matter for the young man. If you look at it from the point of view that Achimota School has the right to prescribe a way of dressing, appearance including hairstyles. If you look at it plainly from that point of view, we can discuss the matter across the board”.

Meanwhile, a group called the Coalition for Ghana’s Independence Now, has described the conduct of Achimota School as being racist.

The group in a statement said President Akufo-Addo and the GES must immediately call the Achimota School to order.

“The President and the Nation has a lot to lose in this case than anyone involved. First, our President happens to be a human rights activist who knows better than all of us when it comes to issues of this nature. Secondly, Nana Akufo-Addo has brought the spotlight of the global community on himself and our beautiful country, Ghana by his Year of Return Festival and if he sits down and watches this disgraceful act of Negropean Racism, by the Achimota School, his reputation on the global African community will be destroyed beyond repairs,” the group said.