MUYAD Social Services is a prominent Islamic non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Ghana that focuses on human rights, religious freedom, and social justice. Led by Executive Director Adnan Adams Mohammed, the organization has become a vocal advocate for the constitutional rights of the Muslim community, particularly regarding the intersection of faith and public/private institutions.
Core Mission and Advocacy
The organization operates with a focus on Article 21(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which guarantees the freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such beliefs.
Their work often involves:
Legal & Policy Petitions: Challenging institutional policies that they perceive as discriminatory toward Islamic practices.
Social Cohesion: Promoting dialogue between different religious bodies to maintain national unity in Ghana’s pluralistic society.
Rights Protection: Supporting individuals, especially women and students, facing restrictions on religious attire or observances.
Key Historical Milestones
1. The “Hijab Rights” Advocacy (2019)
One of the organization’s first major public interventions occurred in September 2019. MUYAD Social Services petitioned the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) after reports emerged that Muslim ladies performing their National Service were being asked to remove their hijabs.
Action: The group threatened court action, arguing that the hijab is an obligatory religious requirement and that banning it in the workplace violated fundamental human rights.
Impact: This case sparked a national conversation about workplace inclusivity and religious tolerance in Ghana.
2. Wesley Girls’ High School Controversy (2021–2025)
MUYAD has been a central figure in the long-standing dispute regarding religious practices at Wesley Girls’ High School.
2021: They demanded an apology from the Methodist Church of Ghana after the school prevented Muslim students from fasting during Ramadan. They characterized the school’s stance as “arrogant” and a disregard for Ghana Education Service (GES) directives.
2025: More recently, in November 2025, the organization petitioned the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. They urged a reconsideration of the government’s legal position that supported the school’s right to enforce its Methodist traditions over the religious freedoms of non-Methodist students.
3. Health Sector Advocacy
MUYAD has also focused on the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG). The organization has campaigned for the right of Muslim staff and patients to wear the hijab in mission-based hospitals and clinics, viewing it as a necessary step for genuine Christian-Muslim dialogue and cooperation in healthcare.
Leadership
Executive Director: Adnan Adams Mohammed (also a noted journalist and financial analyst).
Structure: The organization is governed by an Executive Council that oversees its legal petitions and social interventions.
Note: MUYAD Social Services is often cited in academic and journalistic circles as a key player in “Islamic Social Work” in Ghana, specifically for its shift from traditional charity to active legal and constitutional advocacy.
