Daniel Nartey and Lucy Anning：Examining the Dilemma of Ghana’s Under-Development Through the Lens of Religious Obsession

（DevAfrica Institute）

1.0 Introduction

Like many developing economies, Ghana has faced significant challenges in achieving economic development and improving the well-being of its citizens. Despite its natural resources and a range of development initiatives, Ghana remains a low-middle-income economy with high levels of poverty and inequality (Jonah, Sambu and May 2018). One factor that may contribute to this dilemma of under-development is the strong influence of religious obsession in Ghana. In many communities, religious beliefs and practices play a central role in daily life and may influence economic development and social welfare decisions (Fernando, and Jackson, 2006).

This article examines the issue of underdevelopment in Ghana through the lens of religious obsession.

Religion has always been an important part of the traditional African lifestyle. People interacted with their gods in every aspect of life, and individual religious liberty was respected by societies. Leo Africans cited in Dr Chancellor’s 16 years of research and field study work entitled "The Destruction of African Civilization" that the African people are religious if not overly religious. According to the head of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Luis Lugo, sub-Saharan Africa is the most religious region globally. These studies demonstrate that Africans are pious and morally conservative. Considering how deeply Africans are attached to and rooted in religion, it is, therefore, crucial to examine whether or not the dilemma of underdevelopment of African countries, particularly Ghana, is a consequence of the country's obsession with religion.

With a population of over 30 million, Ghana is a country in West Africa with a rich cultural history consisting of various religious beliefs and practices. Ghana has had cordial relations between religion and the state for ages. This is a result of traditional African culture not making a line between the sacred (spiritual) and the secular (physical reality) or between religion and the state (Ter Haar, 2009). By enacting laws that make it unlawful to discriminate against someone based on their religious convictions, the government has sought to safeguard freedom of religion and belief. Ghana is characterized in the Constitution as being secular but not atheistic. The preamble's opening phrase, "In the name of the Almighty God, We the people of Ghana in the exercise of our inalienable rights," confirms this. Therefore, it is evident that Ghana is a religious country, while it is also secular in that the same Constitution prohibits the establishment of any religious group as the State religion (see article 56 of the 1992 Constitution). The Constitution acknowledges the existence of religious organizations as relevant civic society organizations that would need representation in specific matters while remaining secular in context.

1.1 Religious Obsession in the context of the Ghanaian Economy

Religious obsession in the Ghanaian context refers to an excessive preoccupation with religious beliefs and practices. This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as spending excessive amounts of time praying or participating in religious rituals, neglecting other responsibilities due to religious obligations, or becoming overly focused on converting others to one's religion.

Religious obsession is not limited to any particular religion in Ghana, as it can be found within various religious communities. It can be driven by a desire for spiritual fulfilment, fear of punishment and being seen as evil, or a belief in the power of religion to solve personal or societal problems.

It is important to note that while some level of religious devotion is normal and can be beneficial, an excessive preoccupation with religion can negatively impact an individual's mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being.

1.2 Current Religious Landscape through the Lens of the Ghanaian Economy

Ghana has a large number of religious institutions and places of worship in addition to a robust religious economy for goods and services. In Ghana, there are numerous religious organizations. Among these, most people in Ghana identify with one of the main world religions or another. Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, Buddhists, Eckists, Hindus, and other faiths of eastern and western religions are among Ghana's religious adherents. In terms of its history and present-day society, Ghana is a country that has been influenced by religion.

Today, Christianity predominates in Ghana, with 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%). According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, 17.6% of Ghana's population presently practices Islam; 5.2% of people practice traditional African religions other religions, 0.8%, and none, 5.2%. These details are presented in table 1 below.

Table 1: Statistics on Religious Dispersion in Ghana

Source: CIA World Factbook

Group of Ghanaian Christian clergy

Source: Yenko.Com.Gh

Given the significance of religion in Ghanaian culture and daily life, the country can be perceived as having a religious economy. Ghana has a large population of ardent believers who highly value their religious practices and beliefs. As a result, religion has an impact on a facet of Ghanaian life, including decision-making and economic activity.  Again, it can be argued that religious beliefs might influence people's preferences generally and that people who identify as members of a particular religion behave in a certain way based on the "social identity theory" and "identity theory" in social psychology (Ellemers, and Haslam, 2012). The types of goods and services that are produced and traded in the country, for instance, may be influenced by religious beliefs and practices. Furthermore, religious groups frequently play a crucial part in the delivery of social services like healthcare and education, which can have a big impact on the economy. In Ghana's economy and society, religion plays a significant role.

The photograph below depicts the leading members of the Islamic religious denomination in Ghana and a traditional priest engaging in divination forming three of the most dominating religions in Ghana.

The leadership of the Islamic Religion of Ghana

Source: BBC News

1.1 Highlights on the Impacts of Overindulgence in Religious Activities on the Ghanaian Economic Growth

Ignoring the impacts of overindulgence in religious activities on Ghanaian economic growth is not a viable approach. Religion, particularly, Christianity has become a dominant force in various aspects of Ghanaian society, including family, business, work, health, and education (Fredua-Kwarteng, 2006). Fredua-Kwarteng further asserted that this has resulted in the proliferation of churches throughout the country, and an increasing number of young people dedicating their time and resources to building religious organizations and denominations, rather than contributing to the country's productivity and economic growth through hard work. Research has shown that religious activities consume a significant portion of the time and resources of Ghanaians, which could be used for more productive activities (Osei, 2015).

The problem with this phenomenon is that religious leaders, particularly Christians (most of whom are Protestants under various Charismatic banners), often prioritize the building of wealthy religious empires and institutions (Fredua-Kwarteng 2006), which require congregants to engage in excessive religious activities, rather than working and contributing to the country's economic growth. These religious leaders often use the belief that success comes from the "Lord" and that human effort cannot build a nation except that of God (Fredua-Kwarteng 2006), to justify this overindulgence in religious activities and also normally quote parts of the Bible that encourage it i.e. "It is the Lord's blessing that makes you wealthy. Hard work can make you no richer." (Proverbs 10:22, New Living Translation).

In Ghana, excessive involvement in religious activities or services, particularly among young people and women, can hinder economic growth. According to Maestas, Mullen, and Powell, (2016), economic growth is driven by two key factors: the size of the workforce and its productivity (output per hour worked). The size of the workforce can be increased by having more people participating in economic activities, while productivity can be increased by having those people working more efficiently. According to Ojong, (2008), when young people and women devote excessive amounts of time and energy to religious activities and services, they are less likely to participate in economic activities or work as efficiently.

Additionally, this overindulgence in religious activities also reduces the number of people available to participate in the workforce, thereby reducing the size of the workforce. This decrease in the size of the workforce and productivity can lead to slower overall economic growth, particularly in terms of per capita GDP and income. In short, overindulgence in religious activities can lead to a decrease in productivity and workforce size, negatively impacting the economy.

Source: Adopted from (Ghana Labor Force Participation - Data, Chart | TheGlobalEconomy.com)

The figure above shows the rate at which Ghana’s labour participation keeps declining. There are obviously several factors that contribute to the decline of which the subject of our study may not be significant in that regard. However, based on the revelation made by the study, it will not be hysterical to assume that “overindulgence in religious activities” or perhaps “religious obsession” are contributing factors to the consistent decline.

Furthermore, many young Ghanaians are now dedicating their lives to building religious organizations and denominations instead of investing their time and energy in more productive activities that can contribute to economic growth. This could be due to the strong societal influence of Christianity in Ghana, which has made it difficult for individuals to prioritize economic development over religious devotion (Osei, 2015).

Since the vast majority of people in Ghana identify with a particular religion and are often unwilling to critically examine the negative impact that religious practices may have on national development, it can be challenging for even the government to address this issue. People who are deeply drowned in religion may experience cognitive dissonance, as they may be resistant to changes and ideas that could cause them to abandon their traditional, outdated values, which can be detrimental to economic development.

2.0 Religiously-Induced Practices and Behaviours that Undermine Ghana’s Development

The greatest catastrophe to ever befall the people of Africa and that which has left them underdeveloped to date is the slave trade and colonialism. Some scholars are of the view that the originators (Europeans and Arabs) of the two dominant religions in Africa (Christianity and Islam) used religion and the concept of the introduction of “a new god” to facilitate the activities of the slave trade in Africa (Raboteau, 2004). The stark churches in the middle of the castles seem to imply that the church was at the centre of the activity in the castles, the same place where African slaves who were bought or otherwise were imprisoned and mistreated before being transported to the Western economies. In the chapels where these European Christians were attending services, prisoners were being kept in dungeons and dying of hunger. These colonial masters claimed that the heart of their faith was centred on God's love for humanity while committing atrocities against people of other races.

While serving as the basis for Christian social teachings, the Bible also inspired such inhumane endeavours (Antwi, 2018). When missionaries first set foot in the African region, they derided the African Religion as fetishistic and heathen (Buah, 2002).  The extent to which they used the Bible to support their exploitation of Africans led white Christians who came to Africa to believe they were God's special missionaries on a divine mission (Antwi, 2018). Due to their mindset, Christians failed to recognise the slave trade as being immoral and evil.

In the transatlantic slave trade, the church and the state were considered both direct and indirect partners (Lampe, 2001). Both introduced laws to support each other. The Judaeo-Christian scriptures and ecclesiastical pronouncements served as the state's primary sources of motivation for the trade. Some defended the practice by citing Leviticus 25:46, which allows the Israelites to buy and keep slaves, as well as the fact that the apostles never called for the emancipation of slaves (Shelley, 2013). They believed that the slave trade was something that was divinely authorized in the holy scriptures. One historical example of this is Jacobus Elisa Johannes Capitein, a Ghanaian writer, poet, minister, and missionary who was sold into slavery at a very young age (seven years old). He wrote a dissertation in 1742 in which he defended slavery on Christian grounds. This dissertation is an example of how the slave trade was justified on religious grounds by some individuals which in essence has greatly hindered negatively the development of Ghana’s Growth.

Group of Ghanaians at gunpoint in the Colonia era

Source: Sutori

Despite progress, some religious practices and behaviours in Ghana continue to impede the country's development. In the past, European colonizers leveraged religion to exploit the Ghanaian people and their resources, resulting in underdevelopment and preventing citizens from achieving economic freedom. Today, however, it is Ghanaians who are hindering the country's development through ill-motivated religious practices and behaviours. In the subsequent subsections, this article discusses some religiously-induced practices and behaviours which undermine Ghana’s development.

2.1 Propagation of Prosperity Theology and Economic Development in Ghana

Prosperity theology is a religious doctrine that emphasizes the idea that God wants believers to be prosperous, healthy, and successful in all aspects of their lives. This theology is based on the belief that material wealth and success are signs of God's favour and blessings. Propagation of prosperity theology refers to the spread and promotion of this doctrine within religious communities and through various forms of media. This can include preaching and teaching by religious leaders, as well as books, videos, and other materials that promote prosperity theology. It can also include the use of mass media and various forms of technology to spread the message (Ekwulugo, 2018). This belief is often associated with the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in Christianity, and it is spread through preaching, teaching, and religious media.

In Ghana, the propagation of prosperity theology is believed to have a negative impact on the development of the country (Kwateng-Yeboah, 2016). This is because this belief has led to individuals and communities focusing primarily on material wealth and financial gain, rather than on more important issues such as education, health, and community development. Additionally, this theology has led to the exploitation of vulnerable people, who may be promised wealth and prosperity in exchange for donations or other forms of support.

Furthermore, it has also encouraged a culture of corruption and moral decay as people would be willing to do anything to get rich, including engaging in illegal or unethical activities. It has also discouraged people from saving and investing, as they believe that God will provide for all their needs. This has led to a lack of long-term planning and a lack of investment in education, businesses and social services leading to a lack of development.

2.2 The Dwindling Effect of Excessive Church Attendance Towards Economic Development in Ghana

Excessive church attendance is a common behaviour among Ghanaians, with many individuals spending a significant portion of their time and resources on religious activities. It is often argued that this behaviour undermines Ghana's underdevelopment by diverting resources away from more productive activities such as education, economic development, and social welfare.

One of the main consequences of excessive church attendance is that it diverts time and resources away from education, and job which is crucial for economic development. Many Ghanaians, especially women and young adults spend a significant portion of their time attending religious services, studying religious texts, and participating in other religious activities with some attending to religious engagements everyday throughout the week. This has led to a lack of focus on formal education, work, and vocational training, which can limit the country's economic development potential. For example, if individuals spend a significant portion of their time attending church services, they will have less time to devote to their jobs or studies. This can lead to reduced productivity and lower income levels, which can have a negative impact on the overall development of the country.

Another way in which excessive church attendance has undermined Ghana's development is by creating financial strain on individuals and families. Many churches in Ghana require members to make regular financial contributions, which can put a significant burden on those who are already struggling financially. Additionally, some churches require members to purchase specific items, such as clothing or books, as a condition of attendance. This further increases the financial strain on individuals and families.

According to a study by the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), excessive church attendance can lead to a neglect of personal and societal responsibilities, such as paying taxes and participating in community development projects (Agyei-Mensah, 2018). Additionally, the study found that excessive church attendance can also lead to a loss of productivity, as individuals spend a significant amount of time and resources on religious activities rather than on productive endeavours (Agyei-Mensah, 2018).

2.3 Extreme Spirituality, Superstitious Beliefs, Demonology and Economic Development

This section of the article identifies extreme spirituality, superstitious beliefs, and demonology religious practices and behaviours that can undermine development in Ghana. According to related studies, extreme spirituality, superstitious beliefs, and demonology are religious beliefs, practices, and behaviours that can have negative effects on Ghana's development. These beliefs and practices are often rooted in traditional beliefs and are prevalent in rural and remote communities, where access to education and alternative worldviews may be limited. They lead to a lack of trust in science and modern medicine, causing people to rely on traditional healers and witchcraft to solve problems instead of seeking medical treatment. Because many Ghanaians are religiously obsessed and extremely spiritual, they believe that God can ordain men to do divine things like healing the sick of diseases that medical officers cannot cure. For this reason, it is common to see people take sick relatives out of hospitals to prayer camps and shrines from where they believe their relatives would get healing. Additionally, these beliefs foster a culture of fear and mistrust, which can impede social and economic development.

A study conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University of Ghana found that superstitious beliefs and practices are strongly associated with low levels of education and poverty in Ghana which is in direct relation with underdevelopment in the region (Addai & Anim, 2017). In Ghana, these beliefs have led to behaviours such as witchcraft accusations, which can result in ostracism, poverty, and even violence and death in the extremes (Platzer, 2018).  Another study by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) found that extreme spiritual and supernatural beliefs can also negatively impact agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity and poverty (CDD-Ghana, 2016). For example, some Ghanaian farmers refuse to use modern farming techniques because they believe that doing so would anger the gods and lead to crop failure CDD-Ghana (2016). In addition, Boadu and Owusu, (2018) found that demonological beliefs and practices can also lead to harmful behaviours, such as exorcisms, which can result in physical and psychological harm to individuals.

These religiously induced practices and behaviours, therefore, have had significant negative impacts on development in Ghana, including reducing agricultural productivity, hindering access to education, and leading to poverty, ostracism, and violence.

2.4 The Emergence of Fraudsters Who Operate Behind the Veil of Religious Priests

Fraud and corruption are major issues that can impede the development of any country, including Ghana. One specific area of concern is the growing problem of fraudsters operating under the guise of religious priests in the country, commonly referred to as "priest fraud" (Quarm, 2016).  According to Quarm (2016), “priest fraud” is a form of religious-induced practice and behaviour that is often driven by greed and the desire for personal gain. These fraudsters often use their position as religious leaders to gain the trust of their followers and then use this trust to defraud them of their money or other assets. These fraudsters, who often pose as religious leaders or priests, take advantage of people's religious convictions to perpetuate their ill agendas. They may claim to have special powers or connections to the divine and use these claims to persuade people to give them money or other resources. The supernatural abilities or powers go beyond healing to include all manner of good fortunes i.e. money doubling, business boom, successful marriage etc.

There are many renowned Ghanaian religious priests who have gained acceptance from a wide section of Ghanaians by performing miracles.  Knowing this nature of Ghanaians, criminals have impersonated these venerated figures, claiming to have supernatural powers. Unsuspecting Ghanaians flock to them and in the process get duped by these supposed men of God.

The operations of these religious fraud men have, however, exposed certain lapses in the law enforcement regime in Ghana. Because it appears there is no proper government regulation of the media space which includes television and radio stations, these fraud men have often used the media space to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians in order to dupe them.

The emergence of fraudsters who operate behind the veil of religious priests can undermine the development of the country. It erodes trust in religious leaders and institutions and can also lead to financial losses for individuals and communities.

2.5 Halting Business Activities to Observe Traditional Practices/Beliefs (Festivals, Burial of Traditional Rulers).

Halting business activities to observe traditional practices and beliefs, such as festivals and the burial of traditional rulers, is a religiously-induced practice that can have negative effects on Ghana's development. This practice can lead to lost productivity and revenue for businesses, as well as disruptions in the supply chain and other economic activities. For example, during festivals and traditional ceremonies in some Ghanaian communities, businesses may be forced to close or limit their operations. This can lead to a loss of income and sales for these businesses and can also negatively impact the wider economy. Similarly, the burial of traditional rulers in some communities leads to the closure of businesses and the disruption of economic activities. This can lead to a decrease in economic growth and development.

Additionally, this practice can also lead to a lack of investment in the country, as investors may be deterred by the uncertainty and disruptions caused by traditional practices and beliefs. This can also lead to a lack of job opportunities and economic growth in the country.

4.0 Mitigating Factors for Addressing Religious Obsession to Promote Development in Ghana

Religious obsession is a phenomenon that has a negative impact on the development of any country, including Ghana. It refers to the excessive focus on religious practices and beliefs to the detriment of other important aspects of life such as education, work, and social relationships. This excessive focus has led to negative consequences for individuals and communities, including reduced productivity, financial strain, and even mental health issues. In order to address this problem and promote development in Ghana, this article proposed some recommendations. These remedies focus on promoting education and awareness, as well as encouraging individuals and communities to adopt a more balanced approach to religious practices and beliefs. Additionally, they focus on encouraging the government to invest more in education and job opportunities and promoting stakeholder collaboration to foster mutual understanding and respect.

Firstly, there should be rigorous public education and awareness campaigns to enlighten people about the dangers of some ill religious and traditional beliefs and practices and promote rational thinking and critical thinking.

Also, the promotion of access to education, healthcare, and basic services is recommended to help reduce poverty and improve living conditions, which can reduce the appeal of these beliefs and practices to prevent individuals from being religiously obsessed.

Furthermore, individuals especially those who drown in religion, should be educated about the importance of balancing religious activities with other responsibilities, such as work and education. It could also include educating individuals about the financial burden of excessive church attendance and encouraging them to make more informed decisions about their religious activities.

Following the above, people should be educated about the dangers of fraud priests and how to identify them. This can be done through public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and by working with legitimate religious leaders and institutions to promote transparency and accountability. It is also important to strengthen the legal framework and to enforce laws that prosecute fraudsters who operate under the veil of religious priests. This can be done by working with law enforcement agencies and creating specialized units that are responsible for investigating and prosecuting these types of fraud.

The government and stakeholders should plan and agree on a calendar of traditional practices and events that can be used to plan business activities and avoid disruptions. This can be done in consultation with traditional leaders and community members to ensure that the calendar is accurate and respected. Another way is to work with the private sector and other stakeholders to create alternative revenue streams and income opportunities for businesses during these periods of disruption. This can include encouraging businesses to offer alternative services or products, or to expand their operations to other regions or sectors.

Lastly, the government needs to consider policy recommendations that can help to address this issue in Ghana. This could include policies that encourage economic development and promote hard work, as well as initiatives that educate people about the negative impact of religious obsession on economic growth. It is also crucial to dialogue and open-mindedness in addressing this issue, without disrespecting one's religious beliefs.

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