RELIGION IN GHANA

IMG_5311

Upon selecting Ghana as my study-abroad destination, “country-wide” religion never crossed my mind. I expected that the aspect of religion in Ghana would be similar to America. Although Christianity still permeates throughout American foundations, increasingly we are seeing the shift in religious beliefs/practices. While minimal, many companies in America recently began tailoring their holiday greetings– instead of “Merry Christmas” many will write “Happy Holidays.”

Religion in Ghana is not taken lightly. A large majority of the population identifies as Christian. According to a 2010 census, about 71.2% of Ghana’s population identify as Christian and about 17.2% identify as Muslim. Another 5.2% account for traditional religions. Because of this, just about everything in Ghana revolves around religion.

Religion is also woven throughout educational institutions. Most universities in the U.S., unless specifically labeled as a religious university, are mindful about making comments related to religious beliefs. However, at the University of Ghana, my professors speak openly about the bible, open class sessions with scriptures from the bible, express how negative and wrong abortion is based on the bible and do not neglect to ask their students if they attended church the previous Sunday. For example, one of my professors asked me a question in class followed by “Did you go to church Sunday? The holy spirit would’ve blessed you with the answer.”

In addition, most stores/shops in Ghana are closed on Sundays. The restaurant, laundry, hair-shop and snack store at ISH (International Student Hostel) are all closed on Sundays. On Sunday mornings, it isn’t out of the norm to see everyone dressed to impress, on their way to church service. Church, I have come to find out, is an unavoidable and essential part of the culture here, a way to connect with Ghanaian people. I met a Ghanaian student named Joanna one night—she knocked on my door and asked if she could come in and tell me a story. I obliged, and she shared one of her favorite bible stories and asked if she could pray with me. We then exchanged numbers and every week I received invites to prayer, church, meetings, events, etc. Eventually, after constantly declining due to schedule conflicts, she stopped messaging me, and eventually stopped responding to my occasional “Hello, how are you?” messages.

People openly express their love for God, and it is not an issue because most people in Ghana are religious. I have woken up at 5 am to someone yelling up my balcony about repenting my sins. In addition, trotro rides usually consist of someone preaching about the bible in Twi. It is not a surprise to see taxi’s, trotro’s, and cars with decals on their rear window saying something like “God is Good” or “He is first.” It is nice to see a population come together for something. In Ghana, religion is the glue. 

Religion in Ghana also impacts social work practice. For example, many social service agencies in Ghana are built upon a religious foundation. Organizations’ motto will include words like ministers, access to God, spiritual connection, fellowship, etc. The main avenue for delivering services to vulnerable populations throughout Ghana is through spreading the word of God.

Correlations can be drawn between this method of delivery and colonialism, as Ghana is only 60 years independent. When colonized by the British, Christianity was spread and adopted by many. At Elmina Slave castle in Cape Coast, directly above the largest female dungeon, is a biblical scripture.

Religion in many ways serves as the glue in Ghanaian culture, but there is something to be said about how Christianity became the dominant religion in Ghana. I may not have been aware of that fact prior to studying abroad, but it sheds a different light on the impact of religion on Ghana.

Category : Uncategorized
Tags : , , , , , ,