Ghana: Information on the relationship between church and state
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1989 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA2667A |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information on the relationship between church and state, 1 October 1989, GHA2667A, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac7193.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Although there is a large degree of freedom of religious expression in Ghana, the present government has attempted to persuade the Christian churches to use their influence and organization in mobilizing their congregations in support of its Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), as well as in its constitution of new political structures [ "No More Abstract Kingdom of God", Ghanaian Times (Accra), 22 November 1988: 1.]. The Ghanaian government has also attempted to curb the influence of certain fundamentalist and evangelical sects, which it perceives as disruptive to Ghanaian society ["Ministry Expresses Concern about Activities of Some Religious Bodies", People's Daily Graphic (Accra), 8 November 1988: 8.].
Jehovah's Witnesses "refuse military service, will not join political parties, do not vote, do not hold elected public office, and will not participate in patriotic exercises such as flag salute ceremonies" [ Howard R.E., 1986, Human Rights in Commonwealth Africa, New Jersey: Rowand & Littlefield Publishers: 109.]. The Ghanaian government has been very critical of the Jehovah's Witnesses because the latter refuses to recognize Ghanaian symbols of authority. Consequently, some local congregations have been closed down by the government because of strict adherence to religious precepts which are deemed offensive "to the morals of the average Ghanaian," [United States of America, Department of State, 1989, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1988, Washington: Government Printing Office: 139.]. In June 1989, the Ghanaian government froze the activities of Jehovah witnesses, who are no longer permitted now to join for worship or to print religious documents [ Telephone conversation with a spokesperson from the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York, July 1989.]. The foreign missionaries involved with Jehovah's Witnesses were expelled from Ghana this summer [ Idem.].
Although "Jehovah's Witnesses in Africa" in The Minority Rights Group Report 1985, does not elaborate on Ghana, it does however, state that in 1975 there were 20,324 active Jehovah's Witnesses. This had increased by 12% since 1974. As of 1976, there were 399 Jehovah's Witness congregations [ Hodges T. 1985, Jehovah's Witnesses in Africa, Londres: Minority Rights Group, no.27: Appendix, Table 1.].
Muslim Ghanaians, who constitute 25% of the population, supported the 1981 coup but did not owe their primary political allegiance to the leaders of the coup [ Ray J.I. 1986, Ghana Politics, Economics and Society, London: Frances Pinter Publishers: 92.].
Please find attached, for additional information, the following documents:
Kurian G.T. ed. 1987, Encyclopedia of the Third World, vol.I, New York and Oxford: Facts on File: 729.
"`Prophet' Ekwam's Arrest is Timely", The Mirror (Accra), 29 October 1988: 1.
"Ministry Expresses Concern About Activities of Some Religious Bodies", People's Daily Graphic (Accra), 8 November 1988: 8.
"Religious Activities Continue Despite Ekwam's Arrest", People's Daily Graphic, 10 November 1988: 1.
"Spiritual Onslaught", West Africa, 17-23 April 1989: 584-585.