The Constitution, under article 21, makes it clear that Ghana is a religious state. This same constitution under article 56, states that Ghana is a secular state for the purpose of prohibiting the elevation of any religious organization to make Ghana a religious state. This is to say that Ghana is not identified with any specific religion.
That notwithstanding, statistics show that over 70% of Ghana’s population is Christian, however, Ghanaian sports journalist, Ekow Asmah, has postulated that the over 70% of Ghanaians who have been identified as Christians are Christians not practically, but only on paper.
Interviewed on the prestigious social and religious show ‘Nsem Pii’ which airs on Happy98.9FM, he said this in reply to whether or not Ghana is a Christian nation.
He explained that although Ghana has a greater populace of Christians, she still cannot be referred to as a Christian dominated nation because when it comes to the lifestyle of the people which is meant to prove how deeply rooted in Christianity Ghanaians are, the contrary is depicted.
“Sometimes, you will enter an office and the frustration that they will put you through will have you wondering if they are indeed Christians but these same people on Sundays will be seen in church as elders.
The life of Ghanaians does not portray Christianity. As soon as people enter their offices, they don’t remember God but after doing all their wrongs, they go back to the church and pose as Christians”, he said.
Ekow Asmah advised that Ghanaians should be sure to live a life that shows how dedicated they are to Christianity and its teachings so that if Ghana has to be categorized as a Christian nation, it will be not for the purpose of categorizing but for the fact that the religion is actually practised in the country.
By: Maureen Dedei Quaye