'It’s discipline, not oppression' - MzGee defends Education Minister's SHS haircut directive

Ghanaian media personality MzGee has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the rule that requires female students to cut their hair before entering senior high school, insisting that the policy is rooted in practicality rather than punishment.

Her comments come after a declaration by the Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu that students in Ghana’s Senior High Schools will no longer be permitted to keep long or unkempt hairstyles, stressing that discipline and proper grooming remain essential to education.

Addressing the 75th Anniversary celebration of Mawuli Senior High School, Mr Iddrisu cautioned that the Ghana Education Service (GES) would not tolerate what he described as “creeping acts of indiscipline” in schools.

READ MORE: No tolerance for long hair in Senior High Schools – Minister of Education declares

While some social media users have slammed the rule as “barbaric” and “outdated,” MzGee took a firm stance, urging Ghanaians to view the matter from a more realistic perspective.

“Let’s stop the emotional gimmick. Cutting the hair is part of discipline. You don’t always get things the way you want them. Life has rules, and it starts with this,” she asserted on her Gee O’Clock show.

READ MORE: From Pope John Paul II to Bob Marley: 10 Famous celebrities who survived gunshots

According to MzGee, maintaining long hair in the crowded environment of boarding schools is highly impractical. With limited resources and inadequate sanitation in some institutions, she argued that requiring short, neat hair helps maintain hygiene and uniformity among students.

“Have you seen the conditions in some schools?” she questioned. “Some of them don’t even have water. You expect these girls to wash and braid their hair every week? Who will braid 700 girls’ hair in a boarding house?”

READ MORE: Daddy Lumba’s family reacts to reports of joint widowhood rites for Akosua Serwaa, Odo Broni

She further explained that enforcing short hair is not an act of oppression but rather a practical solution that ensures all students are treated equally, regardless of background or financial status.

MzGee also pointed out that allowing various hairstyles could create unnecessary distractions and social divisions among students.

READ MORE: Ayisha Modi alleges she spent $8,000 on medicine for Daddy Lumba but was never repaid

“Imagine sitting behind a classmate with big, voluminous hair blocking your view,” she noted. “Or the comparisons of who has better hair or who can afford nicer styles. Is that what school is about?”

To her, the rule instils discipline and removes superficial competition, allowing students to focus on their studies instead of their looks.

Addressing those who view the policy as oppressive, MzGee maintained that the haircut requirement should be seen as a temporary and practical adjustment.

READ MORE: Regina Daniels shows off lavish new mansion amid issues with billionaire husband

“School is for three years. The hair will grow back,” she said. “It’s not a barbaric act; it’s a practical choice for a structured environment.”

MzGee’s remarks have reignited conversation around Ghana’s education traditions, with many now questioning where the balance lies between discipline, cultural identity, and personal freedom within the country’s schools.