The Ghanaian Times wades into the raging debate over whether the wearing of dreadlocks popularly referred to as Rasta is sufficient grounds to deny people access to education. This follows news that two schools, Achimota School in Accra and Osei Kyeretwie Senior High, OKESS in Kumasi had declined to offer admission to some first-year students who wore dreadlocks to school. In the case of Achimota, two students were denied admission for wearing dreads, which according to the school, is against its regulations. On their part, authorities of OKESS, who denied admission to a 19-year-old dreadlocked student said regulations of the school frown on it. According to the Ghanaian Times, it has followed the debate with keen interest and is of the conclusion that majority of Ghanaians want the students to be admitted just like any children in the country. For this reason, the paper commends the Ghana Education Service for stepping in to ensure the dreadlock-wearing children are not discriminated against on grounds of their religious beliefs.
The Daily Graphic says more reforms are needed to decongest the prisons. It says while ensuring the reformation of inmates, there must also be programmes and policies to ensure inmates are employed after their release. This the Graphic thinks will ensure that ex convicts keep their sanity and become better and responsible persons in their communities. The Paper commends University of Cape Coast for setting up a campus at the Nsawam Prison to offer higher education to inmates. Also fascinating to the Paper are the 59 inmates pursing diploma courses under the Distance Education Program instituted by the two institutions. The Graphic believes Ghanaians should marshal all available resources including individual talent for the development of the country.
