Religion in Ghana

.
Anytime religious differences occur, it is almost a given their will be feuding. No matter how big or small the differences are, human instinct is to think that they are always right. That however is not the case for the people of Ghana. For more than 50 years now, since 1957 (Spielvogel), the people of Ghana have not only accepted other native religions, but the religions imported from other countries. The positive impact of colonization on its indigenous ethnic groups is shown by the religious tolerance between religions in Ghana.

The people of Ghana are very tolerant of other religions practiced in the country. They are courteous of the festivals that have to do with religions of which they are not a part of. All of the religions have a very sacred place for one’s family in religion, so for that reason, they all have something in common (About.com). All the religions respect the other religions, and therefore accept other religions’ rituals and allow the other religions to take the time or other needs necessary to carry out these rituals. Some of the rituals include but are not limited to, the fortnightly festivals of the Adae, or the Odwira festivals of the Odwira, which happen once a year (U.S. Library of Congress). In these festivals the ancestors are beloved (U.S. Library of Congress).  Each religion respects one another, and therefore the colonization has had a positive impact because respect is spread throughout.

Not only do the people of Ghana get along with themselves after their independence from the British, but they also get along very well with the Christians.  After Ghana gained its independence in 1957, the level of Christianity was 41% (U.S. Library of Congress). That level has now consistently risen each year to where it now stands at 68.8% (Nation Master). The Christians and the native religion followers get along very well, but that also is in part of how the latter recognize Christian holidays. Christmas and Easter are recognized as national holidays and vacation periods around these times have become somewhat of a standard (U.S. Library of Congress). This is maybe why the level of Christianity followers may have went up, as immigrants from other countries may have went to Ghana to carry out their beliefs in a very friendly environment.

Currently the relations between the religions, albeit native or not native, are calm and sophisticated. This can make way for even greater strides now that the religions are all respecting each other. Perhaps Ghana could maybe even elect a board of religious members, say 100 people, with representation decided by the percent of the population of a certain religion. This would act as like a House of Representatives. Then they could vote on religious issues, and work directly in line with the government. They could accomplish even greater things, which will lead to a better country, and even happier, smiling people.

 

 Annotated Bibliography

 

About.com. “Religion in Ghana - Traditional Religions.” About.com. 2009. The New York Times.  18 May 2009 <http://atheism.about.com/‌library/‌world/‌AJ/‌bl_GhanaTraditional.htm>.

            I used this source to find basic information on the relationships of different religions in Ghana.

Nation Master. “Ghanaian Religion Stats.” Nation Master. 2009.  18 May 2009 <http://www.nationmaster.com/‌red/‌country/‌gh-ghana/‌rel-religion&all=1>.

            The Nation Master site was used to find out information on religious statistics in Ghana.

Spielvogel, Jackson J. “Chapter 30 Section 1 : Independence in Africa.” World History. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/‌McGraw, 2003. 921.

            I used our class textbook to get more information on how and when Ghana exactly did get its independence.

U.S. Library of Congress. “RELIGION.” Country Studies. 1994. U.S. Library of Congress.  18 May 2009 <http://countrystudies.us/‌ghana/‌50.htm>.

            This is where I started my research and got most of my information on the different indigenous Ghanaian religions.


Last updated on May 22, 2009 by Jonathan Blake
Picture