The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, has called for stronger collaboration between religious institutions, families, schools and government to address the growing challenge of indiscipline in Ghana’s schools, describing moral formation as the foundation for national development.
Speaking at the 4th Annual Dialogue Meeting between the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Muslim leaders, held under the theme “Addressing the Challenges of Rising Indiscipline in Our Schools: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations,” Most Rev. Gyamfi stressed that education must go beyond academic excellence to nurture responsible, disciplined and morally upright citizens.
He began by highlighting the shared values that unite Christianity and Islam, saying all people belong to one human family despite differences in religious beliefs.
“We all come from one family. Though we are different people, we all belong to the same family,” he said, adding that this common identity should inspire both faith communities to work together for the good of society.
The Catholic Bishop expressed profound appreciation to the National Chief Imam for hosting the dialogue and fostering interfaith cooperation.
He also disclosed that the Vatican had been informed about the gathering and that the Holy Father had sent a goodwill message congratulating both religious communities for strengthening dialogue and unity.
According to him, the Pope encouraged Christians and Muslims in Ghana to continue promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.
Touching on the conference theme, Most Rev. Gyamfi said the increasing cases of indiscipline in schools represent a deeper societal problem that requires collective action.
He noted that the issue extends beyond students breaking school rules and reflects broader concerns about the kind of citizens Ghana is producing.
“It is not merely a question of bad behaviour or broken rules. It points to a deeper issue—the kind of human person we wish to form,” he stated.
He explained that while technical skills are important for national development, Ghana also needs citizens who possess integrity, sound moral judgment and a commitment to serving the common good.
According to him, both Christianity and Islam have an indispensable responsibility in shaping such individuals because both traditions regard education as sacred.
“To educate a child is not merely to transmit knowledge, but to help him or her grow in wisdom, reverence for God and respect for the dignity of every human person,” he said.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference President stressed that the moral values promoted by Christianity and Islam including honesty, responsibility, self-discipline, respect for parents and elders, and compassion for the vulnerable are essential for building a peaceful and cohesive nation.
He described these virtues as the bedrock of justice, responsible citizenship and national unity.
Most Rev. Gyamfi referenced the late Pope Francis’ Global Compact on Education, recalling the African proverb that “it takes a whole village to educate a child.”
He said the proverb reinforces the need for all stakeholders—including parents, teachers, religious institutions, public authorities and civil society—to work together in nurturing children.
“No single institution can do it alone,” he emphasized.
He further noted that authentic education should shape the head, the heart and the hands of young people by helping them think critically, love rightly and act responsibly.
The Bishop also pointed to a recent national stakeholder meeting on school indiscipline held in Sunyani, which brought together the Minister for Education, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Christian and Muslim leaders, and other education stakeholders.
He said the discussions at that meeting demonstrated the urgency of addressing the growing problem and aligned closely with the objectives of the interfaith dialogue.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the discussions, Most Rev. Gyamfi said faith-based organizations possess unique experience in shaping the moral lives of young people through homes, schools and places of worship.
He expressed confidence that the recommendations emerging from the dialogue would help place Ghana’s education system on a more positive path characterised by discipline, responsibility and respect for others.
He further expressed hope that the dialogue would not only strengthen discipline in schools but also deepen unity between Christian and Muslim communities by promoting mutual respect and understanding.
According to him, greater discipline within religious communities themselves would help reduce misunderstandings and strengthen national cohesion.
He prayed that the meeting would produce practical solutions that would lead to the emergence of a more disciplined society and contribute to Ghana’s long-term peace and development.
By 1960news.com
