Akan perceptions of God can be discerned from the rich array of names and appellations used to describe the Supreme Deity. Among the Akan, the name for God is Nyankopɔn (Onyankopɔn), the Supreme Being. Etymologically, the term is often explained as deriving from “Onyame koro a ɔyɛ pɔn,” meaning “the one God who is supreme…
African witchcraft versus European witchcraft have been the focus of local discussions about witchcraft in Ghana for many years. During the period of European colonization, westernization, and the early stages of modernization, people in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) struggled to explain the wide gap in development between Africans and Europeans. Many ordinary people asked…
Witchcraft is commonly understood in Ghana as a supernatural power believed to be possessed by some individuals, enabling them to influence the behavior, health, fortune, or misfortune of others—either as victims or beneficiaries. Belief in witchcraft and witches remains widespread and deeply embedded in Ghanaian society. Although no comprehensive national survey exists to measure belief…
A new religious movement has emerged in Ghana known as Asomdwee Ntonton Som, a name that translates literally as “Peace and Exaltation Religion.” Ghana is a deeply multireligious society, long accustomed to religious plurality. Christianity—represented by historic denominations such as Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, and Salvation Army, as well as numerous Pentecostal and Charismatic movements—dominates…
Culture refers to the total way of life of a people. It encompasses both material and non-material elements. Material culture consists of tangible aspects that can be seen and touched, such as cooking practices, eating utensils, earthenware, palanquins, drums, and idiophones. Non-material culture, by contrast, includes intangible elements such as language, music, art, religion, dance,…
Animism is the belief that the environment and society are populated with spirits. Many Ghanaians hold animistic beliefs, maintaining that their surroundings are inhabited by spiritual beings. Some of these spirits are believed to be benevolent, while others are considered malevolent. Animistic beliefs are widespread across Ghana’s ethnic groups. Even Ghanaians who identify as Christian…
