The ambivalence of religious freedom, peacebuilding, and national development in Ghana

This article explores the ambivalent role of religion in peacebuilding and national development in Ghana, using the 2021 Wesley Girls High School Ramadan controversy as a case study. It examines how religious freedom, especially for Muslim students in Christian educational institutions, intersects with institutional authority and national policy. Drawing on legal documents, media reports, and stakeholder statements, the article frames religion as both a unifying and divisive force. Using ambivalence as an analytical lens, it demonstrates how religious institutions promote peace and morality while simultaneously enabling exclusion and tension. The article concludes that sustainable peace in Ghana requires critically engaging this ambivalence to foster truly inclusive religious and civic spaces.