Economist, financial analyst, and policy strategist, Roger T.D. Mills, has backed the controversial haircut policy for Senior High School (SHS) students, describing it as “a policy in the right direction” that reinforces discipline and moral training in schools.

Speaking on the Oman Ghana Nkosuo show on Accra-based CTV, hosted by Kaakyire Kwesi Appea-Apreku, Mr. Mills said Ghana’s educational institutions have rules and traditions that are designed to.

Roger T.D. Mills backs SHS haircut policy, saying discipline is key to moral development to shape students into responsible adults, and such guidelines must be respected.

“This is Ghana, and students must follow the rules set by their schools,” he emphasised.

“The school is a place to study, not to showcase fashion.”

According to him, the essence of education goes beyond academic learning to include the building of character and values.

He noted that allowing students to freely express themselves through hairstyles could lead to distractions, social comparison, and rebellion against authority.

He warned that students, particularly those in their teenage years, are “easily influenced and very vulnerable to learning negative behaviours and habits.” For that reason, he believes institutions must adopt strict measures to prevent external influences that could derail the moral development of young people.

“We cannot allow anybody to sway the children,” he said. “Some of these rules are not to punish them but to guide them.”

When questioned by the host about why the children of expatriates in Ghana are often exempted from haircut restrictions, Mr. Mills explained that the difference stems from the educational systems and conventions those institutions are bound by.

He clarified that international schools usually operate under foreign policies and standards that may differ from Ghana’s cultural and educational values.

Speaking from a personal perspective, Mr. Mills revealed that he is a father of two daughters who have never cut their hair, as they attend school abroad, where such grooming rules are not enforced.

Nonetheless, he insisted that cultural context matters.

“The way you dress is how you will be addressed,” he remarked, underscoring the role of appearance in shaping perception and discipline.

Mr. Mills recounted how the strict rules he encountered growing up contributed significantly to his personal and professional development. He said those experiences taught him that responsibility, focus, and respect for authority are qualities he believes Ghanaian students must continue to uphold.

“We are products of our environment,” he said. “Some of these policies shaped who we became, and I believe they can do the same for today’s generation.”

He also dismissed claims that the Education Minister’s stance on haircut rules was discriminatory, arguing instead that the intention behind such policies is to preserve order and moral values among students.

According to him, discipline and respect for rules are essential traits for national development, and schools play a vital role in instilling those virtues.

“The minister did not address the issue to discriminate or hinder students,” he said.

“There has to be strict measures in place to shape the morals and attitudes of students.”

Mr. Mills concluded by urging parents, educators, and policymakers to work together to strengthen discipline in schools, noting that a generation raised with structure and moral guidance will ultimately contribute positively to Ghana’s growth and development.