Achimota admission saga: The issues has affected myself and my son psychologically — Mother of rejected rasta student

Mother of Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea, one of the Rastafarian boys at the centre of the Achimota School admission saga, Maanaa Myers says the issue has affected her and her son psychologically.

She said she almost slipped into depression at a point during the public trial and had to be put on medication.

She also tells Citi News, that her son, Oheneba Nkrabea is facing a similar situation and has resorted to the services of a psychologist.

“The process has affected us in several aspects. Emotionally, psychologically, mentally. It has been a tough one, especially for me, the mother. I got depressed at a point, I had to be on drugs. Even for him, his mood keeps switching. We had to seek the services of a psychologist for him. It’s been so bad.”

Since the tussle with Achimota School begun, parents of the boys have been advised to find an alternative school for them.

This has however proven difficult for Maanaa Myers as she says other senior high schools she's approached are unwilling to enrol her son who carries dreadlocks.

“Other schools I have approached, which I wouldn’t want to mention are equally reluctant. I don’t know if it has to do with how the case has gone so far. GES backing us and later backing out. I think all these developments influenced their decisions.”

“There were news reports that the children had acquired scholarships from other schools in the country. They are untrue. No school has approached us except for some international universities.” Students denied admission

About three weeks ago, it was reported that Achimota School had denied two Rastafarians admission to the school, although they had been placed there by the Ghana Education Service's Computerized School Selection and Placement Service (CSSPS).

The school insisted that its regulation states that all students or potential students maintain a low haircut as a requirement for admission.

It, therefore, said the two Rastafarians must cut their dreadlocks if they want to be granted admission.

The two students insisted and were consequently denied admission.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) subsequently ordered Achimota School to admit the students, but it made a U-turn on its stance.

One of the Rastafarians who went to seek admission at his second choice of school, Saint John's Grammar School was again refused admission there because of his dreadlocks.

Following calls for legal processes to the initiated against the school, Tyron Marhguy sued Achimota School.

---citinewsroom