Tears of Africa

The ongoing debate in Ghana over whether Christian mission schools —historically founded, funded, and operated by churches—must accommodate Muslim students’ religious practices, such as daily salat (prayers) and the wearing of the hijab , has exposed deep fault lines. On one side, Christian leaders assert that compelling these schools to alter their foundational religious character, including mandatory Christian prayers and assemblies, violates their institutional autonomy and the voluntary basis on which parents enroll their children. On the other, Muslim parents and advocates argue that excluding their children’s religious observances constitutes discrimination and undermines the right to freedom of religion. This impasse, while rooted in Ghana’s pluralistic religious landscape, is neither unique nor intractable. Globally, multi-religious societies have successfully navigated similar tensions by applying principled frameworks that protect both individual religious freedoms and the...

As the global race for clean energy minerals intensifies, Ghana stands at a pivotal crossroads with its Ewoyaa lithium project —the nation's first foray into this transformative sector. Representing a $250 million investment by Atlantic Lithium (via Barari DV Ghana Limited), the project promises to produce 3.6 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate over 12 years, positioning Ghana as a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy supply chains. Yet, as of late 2025, the mining lease remains unratified by Parliament amid controversies over royalties, value addition, and transparency—delays that have already led to over 100 job losses and eroded investor confidence. These hurdles, while challenging, underscore the merits of proceeding thoughtfully: lithium isn't just a commodity; it's a catalyst for sustainable industrialization, job creation, and fiscal resilience. Drawing on global best practices, here's why Ghana should seize this opportunity—and how...