ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Religio-cultural perspective of infertility and its treatment: a case study of the Ga people of Ghana

This study sought to examine the Religio-Cultural Perspective of Infertility and its treatment of the Gã people in Ghana. Qualitative research methodology was used applying the sub-disciplinary methods of depth interviews and focus group discussion to gather information from Traditional Leaders and People living with infertility. The empirical study brought out the fact that, Child birth is of paramount importance to the Gã People within their religio-cultural milieu. This makes infertility a life shattering crisis among the people. In situations where it occurs, it is attributed to a variety of causes. These include the Dzemawodzi (gods), Ayεi (witches), Gbeshi (fate, life programme) and Musu (bad omen). There are a number of rituals which are performed to reverse the situation. Due to the cultural expectation of the marriage arrangement, the whole family tries their best to help their relatives living with infertility. People living with infertility are motivated by a variety of factors including cultural, religious, and innate factors to bring forth at all cost. They are not discriminated against by the religio-cultural structures in their functional roles such as appointment to various positions but society looks down upon such people and stigmatizes them. Infertility affects the woman, the couple, and the families concerned since children are the only means of continuing the ancestral lineage. There are a number of indigenous interventions in the form of rituals and a variety of modern treatment technologies which come into play in the treatment of infertility. All these methods have their own religio-cultural ramifications. Education, counseling, and advocacy services are the surest ways to manage this all important issue of infertility amongst and within the religio-cultural milieu of the Gã People of Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Religion in African Politics and Governance: The Ghanaian Experience: A Quest for Relevant Interface.

The relationship between religion and politics in Africa has been approached from a multiplicity of angles. There is a common view that seeks to separate religion from politics. Those who hold these views insist that there is an irreconcilable gulf between religion and the state, the sacred and the secular. They argue that the church has jurisdiction over spiritual matters, while the state has jurisdiction over secular affairs. This Thesis has built upon the available reflections on politics and religion and also examined the interface between religious and political discourses in Africa with particular reference to Ghana. The thesis has established that religion and politics have and continue to influence and interconnect each other in ways that call for rethinking of the traditional formulations that religion must not mix with politics. We have stated that God as Creator and Ruler has instituted political principles. The difference between God‘s rule and human rule notwithstanding, God has instituted authority to oversee justice and rule of law. We have indicated that religious faiths, especially, the Church (Christianity) is expected to intervene in politics with its message of prophecy, justice, peace and righteousness, to challenge social ills and call political leaders to face up to their own failures and those of their Governments. The thesis concludes that religion has played a significant role in the provision of development projects which have improved the material welfare of the people. Religious Organisations have in this way become a source of identity to the poor in the community‘s grassroots, who are in most cases not accessed by the state‘s bureaucratic approaches to development. Politicians must therefore as a matter of policy collaborate with religious organisations not only to foster peace and stability but speed up the socio-economic and spiritual development of the people.

Source: KNUST
RELIGION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION:

Water is a vital resource, having economic, ecological, societal and spiritual functions. Consequently, its management greatly determines its sustainability. Water pollution has been a concern not only among religious institutions but also other social institutions. Water is considered polluted when its quality or stoichiometry is altered, either naturally or as a result of anthropogenic activities, making it less suitable for drinking, domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, wildlife, and other uses for which it would otherwise be suitable in its natural or unaltered state. In Sefwi Wiawso communities, various human activities such as mining in water bodies, indiscriminate disposal of refuse, general apathy to the natural environment and ineffective environmental laws account for the rise in water pollution. Efforts are been made by stakeholders to ensure the effective protection and management of various water resources within the community. Using a qualitative research approach, this study investigates the role the local Methodist Church Ghana in Sefwi Wiawso Circuit is playing in protecting the natural environment especially water bodies. The study found that, the Methodist Church Ghana is committed to protect the natural environment as part of their stewardship obligation entrusted by God. However, their effort is not enough and therefore more has to be done in achieving clean sustainable water resources. The study recommended that intense sensitization on the effect of water pollution, partnership with other social institution and emphasis on the moral duty of Christians towards sustainable water management can help reduce water pollution in the communities.

Source: KNUST
Religion, Ecology and Sustainable Development: The Akyem Abuakwa Experience

This study examines the interplay of religion, ecology and sustainable development in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area. The ecological threat facing Akyem Abuakwa has been real and that, the people are aware of the causes. The study depicts that, degradation is still on the rise and has gotten out of control and that, residents of these communities are left to suffer the consequences of ravaged farm lands, polluted river bodies, low food production and high cost of food items among others. It is in view of this apparent self destruction that the concept of sustainable development becomes relevant. With the notion that, the sacredness of nature in many religion is despised and that it has led to disenchantment with nature. The study sought to examine the role of the three main religious institutions in Akyem Abuakwa, namely, Christianity, Islam, and Traditional religion. Apart from examining the accusation that, Christianity and Islamic religions have mostly focused on the spiritual to the detriment of the physical, the research also explores the role of African cosmology: proverbs, taboos, and myths. Also, festivals, values, and many other norms and practices which have in the past served as a sturdy agent of sustainable development have been explored. The research further revealed that, traditional leaders have legitimate claim for holding, tradition, land and natural resources in trust for their ancestors, the living and the future generation yet, this trust have been abused by many of them. The study therefore, recommends that, matters of environmental degradation transcend the operations and efforts of a District/ Municipal Assembly or religious body. Consequently, the Central government, the Non Governmental Organisations, the Traditional Leaders, and rural folk in Akyem Abuakwa should make concerted commitment to the healing of the environment.

Source: KNUST
Religion and Human Rights of Women and Children at the Gambaga Witch Camp in the Northern Region of Ghana.

It is not an uncommon feature to see that women and children in different places of our world being subjected to all forms of abuses. Usually, their male counterparts do not face the same kind or level of abuses. One common area where such abuses are clearly seen is in the performance of cultural practices and customs. Apparently, belief in the existence and activities of witches is prevalent among Africans and this belief is usually accompanied with various accusations, physical abuses as well as emotional tortures. These abuses and maltreatments have human rights implications that is looked at critically. Many women who are unable to bear these accusations and abuses escape the punishment of community folks and flee to established witch camps that are meant to protect and sustain their lives. However, these camps are unable to ensure the protection of their human rights. For the most, it is religious groups and communities who successfully support them as they live at the camp. The study practically examines how various accusations, abuses as well as life at the witch camp have human rights implications, and attempt to suggest various ways through which the rights of these inmates may be protected. This study was conducted by employing methods of analysis such as questionnaire, interviews, photographs, on site seeing and note taking as well as literature from relevant sources. The study contributes to the pool of knowledge which reveals that religious institutions, rather than the government, have been instrumental in providing, promoting and preserving the rights of the accused witches at the Gambaga witch camp.

Source: KNUST
Religious and social roles of the church of god in alleviating poverty among its members: a case of Ejisu – Juaben Municipal

In the world at large, governments in developed, underdeveloped, developing countries, and international agencies have made several attempts to alleviate poverty among their nationals, yet poverty continues to abound. This worrying situation has become devastating and topical in Africa. In Ghana, the general debate is that the government alone cannot alleviate poverty among its citizens. Due to this, there is the need for the church to also help. This debate motivated this study to investigate the religious and social roles the Church of God– Ghana, can play to alleviate poverty among its members using four of its local churches, Donyina, Essienimpong, Homabenase, and Onwe all in the Ejisu-Juaben District. The study was approached qualitatively. It used both purposive and simple random sampling procedures to select the key respondents that formed the study. Besides, interviews and focus group discussions were the main research techniques. The findings of the study were that religiously, the church should intermittently organize revivals geared towards financial breakthrough and liberation from spiritual dominance over church members’ finances and progress. Socially, the study discovered that organising periodic entrepreneurial workshops/seminars for the church members will introduce, teach, and encourage them on what to do, the type of lucrative job to engage in, and how to engage in a lucrative business to raise regular income. The study recommends that the leadership of the Church of God should establish connections with local and international donors and seek for assistance to alleviate the poverty situation of its members. The study is significant because it contributes to discourses on church history, and poverty both locally and internationally.

Source: KNUST
Religious conflict and its impacts on society: a case study of Global Evangelical and Evangelical Presbyterian Churches in Anyako

Conflicts are often viewed as interruption in the progress of any human endeavour. However, it is inevitable in every human institution. The question is what makes people react the way they do which sometimes lead to conflict. The researcher hypothesized that religious conflict is always destructive because of its links to aggressive behaviours of the people involved in it. This research was conducted within the context of the conflict between Global Evangelical and Evangelical Presbyterian Churches in Anyako. The conflict has created tension among the church members and others and hindered development. The research seeks to find out the causes of the intra-religious conflict and its split. The possible ways employed to resolve the conflict have also been studied. The research further investigates the impacts the conflict has had on the life of the people in Anyako. Purposive sampling research technique was used and a total of 40 people were selected from the disputing groups for interview. Questionnaire was also administered. Open and close ended interview techniques were used. Qualitative approach was used to analyse the data. The results revealed that factors such as doctrinal and liturgical, constitutional matters, leadership and violation of ban on drumming and noise-making were the national and local factors which caused the conflict. It became clear that many efforts were made to resolve the conflict but they were not successful. The result also indicated that the parent church lost its members while the new church won a lot of members. People’s relationships became strained creating insecurity within homes and in the community. The conflict had negative economic impacts on the people in terms of fishing; and other economic activities which resulted in inadequate food supply for the community. This is because there was reduction in families’ income. There was also interruption of education of children and staffing problem in schools. Above all, the conflict has retarded development of Anyako. It is, therefore, strongly recommended that appropriate measures be put in place towards resolving the conflict and curbing future occurrence of such conflict. Measures should include assisting the new church (Global Evangelical) to build a chapel and a pastor’s residence; and the parent church and the new church must hold joint service monthly. Chiefs and their elders must make use of the concept of consulting Amegakpui to reach consensus in the resolution of the conflict. The two churches should form one football team and welfare association, Christians have to appreciate their Ewe cultures and traditions, dialogue and negotiation should be used, churches’ constitutions have to be flexible to avoid confusion during elections in the churches among others. This research is considered very important because the findings would help restore peace and promote development in Anyako. Again the lessons derived would be useful for future conflict prevention.

Source: KNUST
Religious pluralism and its impact on social cohesion: a case study of Christian-Muslim relations in Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumasi municipality of Ashanti.

Religion is described as one of the most important structures in all the established human societies that make up the entire social system. It is believed to be a unifying force; however, this role of religion is realized in societies where there is only one religion. Truly, most countries in the world have witnessed conflicts for many years and a large proportion of these conflicts emanate from fault lines in religion. In the current global scenario, many nations are facing problems of hatred, intimidation, incitement, and acts of violence as a result of religious differences. This research therefore sought to find out how the religious pluralistic nature of Ejura is impacting on how Christians and Muslims in the society relate to one another or how they are “glued” together as a people. In Ejura, which is described as the town with the highest number of settlers in Ghana, Christians and Muslims have been living together peacefully as though they have no differences. The only incident of religious clash was among the Muslim groups of Ahlus Sunna and Tijjaniyya. Christians and Muslims have enjoyed a very healthy relationship even than the two Muslim groups themselves. Apart from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the study selected only the mission churches and among the Muslim too, the study focused on only the Sunni Muslims. It was discovered that, the religious pluralistic nature of Ejura has not had any negative impact on interpersonal relationship in the town. There is a strong social bond between Christians and Muslims. Another thing found to be contributing towards the healthy Christian-Muslim relations in the town is that, all members of the community have equal opportunity to engage in any lawful income generating activities irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations. No group in Ejura feels relegated to the periphery so far as the sharing and use of the community‟s resources is concerned. Notwithstanding the few challenges related to education and other social issues, religion has not polarised the community probably because of the economic prosperity of the town. Muslims and Christians accept and respect the other.

Source: KNUST
Religious inclusion, exclusion and christian activities:A study of the hearing impaired in some selected branches of the Assemblies of God Chruch in the Ashanti

The practices of both religious exclusion and inclusion towards persons living with hearing impairment have become a growing concern for many religious bodies. Whilst some churches include the hearing impaired in their religious activities, scholarship indicates that many churches exclude them from their meetings. This study focuses on examination of factors that contribute to the exclusion and inclusion of the hearing impaired in the Assemblies of God (A/G). The study was approached qualitatively and descriptively analysed. Structured and unstructured interviewed guide were used to gather primary data for analysis. The primary data was obtained from three selected churches of the Assemblies of God in the Ashanti Region. Ten people were purposively sampled for the study. Evidence from the field study indicates that issues such as communication barrier, lack of vision by the church and untoward attitude of the hearing impaired are among the key causes of the practice of religious exclusion. Furthermore, issues like stigmatisation, stereotyping, discrimination and superstitious beliefs contribute to the practice of religious exclusion against the hearing impaired. More so, the study unveils that the need for church growth and increment of the working force of the church (A/G) contribute to the practice of religious inclusion. The study revealed that the practice of religious exclusion has some negative impacts on the hearing impaired, A/G and society in general. The study recommends that sign language should be introduced into the church and also in the seminaries. More so, religious activities of A/G should be designed to include the hearing impaired. Furthermore, A/G should involve the hearing impaired in their decision making bodies and also extend charity to them to meet their material needs.

Source: KNUST
A Religious Response To Environmental Degradation In Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly And Ejisu – Juaben Municipal Assembly

This long piece of writing brings to light a religious response to environmental degradation in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and Ejisu – Juaben Municipal Assembly. It pinpoints the causes of the ecological crisis that is currently on the rampage in the two study areas and how they can be curtailed and managed effectively. This thesis states emphatically that environmental degradation is human-induced and therefore postulates the following: Christians’ understanding of stewardship, exploitation of nature by Christians, refusal to condemn environmental destroyers outright, poor management of nature, human population growth, spiritism, poor interpretation of the gospels, noise, frequent shortages and high prices of liquefied petroleum gas, bad gases, refusal of sand and stones winners to reclaim the land, inability to implement the environmental rules prescribed by the prophet, agrochemicals, modernity, concessionaires, chain sawing, leachates, Christians’ understanding of the ecological triangle, technological advancement, relegation of farmers to the background, improper waste disposal and the use of pestles, mortars and canes. Now, since environmentalists have explored all avenues to curb the crisis and it’s still going on, this thesis recommends religion as the final arbiter because the three main religions (Christian, Islamic and Traditional) in Ghana teach how humans should be treated and how humans should relate to nature. These religions provide basic interpretive stories of who humans are, what nature is, where humans have come from and where they are going. It attempts to use the multi-faith principles in the study areas to provide lasting cure-alls for the ecological crisis confronting the inhabitants. This thesis tries to accentuate the three main religions in the study areas because they consider environmental destruction as a sin against God, humans and nature. It teaches that it’s only religion that can lead people to be circumspect as far as environmental issues are concerned without any circumvention. It is defined by some people as: The life of God in the soul of man, the conservation of values etc.

Source: KNUST
Religious role of women in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi in relation to women’s roles in the bible

This study purposely looks at the religious role of women in the Old and New Testaments era and its connection to the function or position of women in the Catholic Church, using the Archdiocese of Kumasi as a case study. The study seeks to assess the biblical trend regarding the role these women played, in order to evaluate the religious roles of women in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi. To achieve this objective, the study has made use of qualitative method of research which helped to solicit views and opinions from the Clergy, Nuns and religious leaders of women societies through interviews. The study has shown that, just as some notable women were instrumental in fulfilling God’s purpose in both the Old and New Testaments, the role of women in the Archdiocese of Kumasi and women in the Catholic Church in general constitute a great resource for the Church. As a great resource, roles played by women in the church are highlighted with reference to their readiness for service, involvement in evangelization, taking care of the needy, contribution to developmental projects, etc. The data presentation brought to the limelight that, credits which should be accorded some dedicated women of the Church are often diverted to their male counterparts, especially the parish priests. As a way forward, the study among other recommendations, advocates that women whose contributions are outstanding should be projected and awarded in order to motivate other women to emulate their examples. This will help disprove the misconception that the Catholic Church suppresses the role of women through its interpretation of traditions and scriptures. Significantly, the study has contributed to knowledge in the area of religion and women empowerment by showcasing women’s indispensable position in the society through their religious life. Hence, the study stands to benefit the Church in making policies to help motivate and empower women which in turn draws the attention of the Ghanaian society to women as a great resource for national development.

Source: KNUST