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The former Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has urged schools in Ghana to review their haircut policies, arguing that such rules should focus on hygiene and safety rather than discipline. According to adomonline.com report on October 28, 2025, Dr Adutwum said many schools impose haircut restrictions without proper engagement or understanding of their original purpose. “We sometimes think we are the adults and they are the children, so we force certain decisions on them without proper engagement,” he said. “We see it as discipline, but in reality, the hair issue is about hygiene and safety.” ‘Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu He explained that haircut rules were originally intended to promote cleanliness and help students focus on their studies and not to serve as a disciplinary tool. Dr Adutwum referenced the Accra High Court’s ruling in the Achimota School–Tyrone Marhguy case as an example of how fairness and understanding should guide educational policies. “When schools make rules that students must cut their hair, it’s not about discipline. It’s because not everyone has the luxury to keep their hair neat all the time,” he said. Drawing on his experience as an educator abroad, Dr Adutwum said schools in other countries allow students to keep long hair as long as safety measures are followed. “In my schools abroad, people come with long hair, but we have put measures in place to avoid injury during P.E. So, we tell parents to either cut the length of the hair or tie it in a ponytail, and they always understand,” he explained. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful encouraged Ghanaian schools to adopt a similar approach based on dialogue and flexibility. “We can make the children understand the issues because keeping long or short hair is not about discipline but hygiene and safety,” he said. He further advised that schools respect parents’ religious and cultural reasons for not cutting their children’s hair. “If parents give valid reasons their child’s hair cannot be cut, any court will rule in their favour. So, schools must handle these cases with flexibility,” he added. Cooperate with GES to implement directive on hairstyles for SHS students – Education minster Dr Adutwum concluded that school rules should be grounded in rational policy and concern for students’ welfare. “We must let the children understand it’s for their own good, not just a disciplinary measure,” he stated. Short hair won’t stop double-salary scandals’ – Ras Mubarak fires back at Haruna Iddrisu
