In a remarkable turn of events, Tyrone Marhguy, one of the students initially denied admission to Achimota School due to his dreadlocks, has emerged as a top-performing student in the West Africa Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE).
Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Marhguy, a pure science student, attained the highest grade of A1 in all subjects in this year’s WASSCE.
The young scholar’s academic excellence comes as no surprise, as he has previously showcased his knowledge and capabilities.
Marhguy was poised to represent Achimota School in this year’s Ghana National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), but for reasons unknown, he was unexpectedly removed from the list of participating students.
On Friday, June 2, 2023, Achimota School shared a photo of their NSMQ team, including Tyrone Marhguy, on their social media page. The caption read, “#AchimotaAt96 🎹 Last month, our @nsmqghana team participated in a trial session as we prepare for the upcoming quiz season. We encourage all members of our community to reach out to the team and help equip them for a successful season.”
Achimota School, a prominent educational institution, last won the NSMQ in 2004. Since then, the school has faced challenges in securing victory in the competition.
Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Nkrabea were initially denied admission to Achimota School due to their Rastafarian dreadlocks, despite passing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and being selected for the school through the computerized placement system.
However, a court subsequently ordered Achimota School to admit the students.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Gifty Agyei Addo of the Human Rights Court 1 Division of the High Court ruled that there was no legal justification for limiting the students’ right to education based on their dreadlocks.
The judge dismissed the Attorney General’s argument that the students had not completed or returned their acceptance of admission forms, stating that it was absurd to suggest that they were not students in the first place.
Justice Addo granted all the reliefs sought by the students, except for the request for compensation in the case of Tyrone Marhguy.
For the students, their parents, and their legal representatives, this case was about the violation of fundamental rights based on their religious beliefs and practices.
Tyrone Marhguy’s outstanding performance in the WASSCE not only showcases his academic prowess but also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of individuals fighting for their rights and equal opportunities in education.
