Ghana: A Highly Religious And Corrupt Nation - How Possible

I have been thinking for a while, and been wondering how come Ghana, a nation known for being very religious yet very corrupt in all circles even to the extent of these practices eating into the various religious groups.

So I breathed a sign of happiness when my church organized a debate and gave the topic which seems like ``the church has failed in reducing corruption in the nation’’. I was eager to hear those speaking against the motion to actually prove me wrong and render this my piece irrelevant. But since you are reading this, you will agree that I am in support with those who spoke for the motion.

Honestly I wish someone will enlighten me on the various teachings of Islam about corruption since I can confidently speak on the matter of Christianity. This nation is a predominantly Christian and Muslim populated with a small fraction of other religious beliefs and therefore I want to believe the teachings of honesty and accountability should not be a problem at all.

However, what pertains in all aspect of the economy is pure corruption and shady deals perpetrated by these same people who throne to Mosque and Chapels every day and week. What even fascinate me is the sheer impudence with which they confess of the Lords blessing knowing truly that they indulged in corrupt activities to amass such wealth. I feel ashamed to read the religious demographics of this noble nation: Christian 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%), Muslim 17.6%, traditional 5.2%, other 0.8%, none 5.2%.

I was once again happy on the Easter Sunday when the secretary of The Church of Pentecost in his sermon at Laterbiokoshie (a suburb in Accra) stressed on how some leaders of some churches connive with Port officials to dupe the nation of huge sums of money either in reducing import duties or avoiding them totally. It was a refreshing moment as I sat and listened to him speak passionately about the very corrupt practices involving his church members and other religious denominations. I was not too surprised, because I have personally had issues with the very people who call themselves ‘prophets, Bishops, Rev. Dr. etc’ and yet charge fees for consultation and others who misappropriate fund from poor people’s offering.

But one may be tempted to think that what is the actual role of the church in all these since it is the individuals who indulge in such practices. I will like to draw your attention to the critical meaning of the Church here. Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

I want to give more light on the church definition so it can answer the motive for this article. The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:

• The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
• The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle … and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—what we call local churches. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church—but rather is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of those who belong to Christ and who have trusted Him for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ—all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the universal church. The local church is where the members of the universal church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am being biased explaining the Church and leaving mosque and the other religious beliefs, I am a Christian, and could speak more of my religion, but I hope in the Muslim context, it may not differ too much as explained by the Holy bible here. Even if it does, Christians are about 72% which can represent the majority. Ideally, the same spiritual people who are called the church, work in various public institutions, private companies and are citizens in our communities. So how come we are corrupt and not law abiding.

Interestingly, many people began to have issue with Bishop Dag-Heward Mills when he spoke about prosperity preaching being false doctrine. Well, I agree with him in part but that is not my subject of scrutiny so let me proceed. When members are always preached to about prosperity and to the extent that even the rich is held in high esteem in the church house, why won’t many aspire to be there through foul means. Arguably it is not a means to be corrupt, but it is very disheartening to feel rejected even in the house of God where one comes to find liberty. Therefore if I am rich, I am given an Elder, Deacon, and Chairman of a committee and not because I have technical know-how, then I must also be recognized so I will finds ways of being rich.

I hardly remember the last time many of our church leaders stood on a Podium and openly spoke against the many social vices in our society, all we do is preach on prosperity, and how to gain visa to somewhere people toiled to build to that extent. So ask yourself, the institution we see as corrupt, who are the perpetrators, are they not Christians, Muslims, or other religious members?. And what have we done as members of the same Body of Christ, we shield them even when we see and don’t want to be part. When was the last time you reported of a corrupt activity in your work or society knowing and having clear evidence of such a misconduct?

Are we really sure when we make our religious ministers President, Vice president, Ministers and even DCE’s for a single term of office the practices of corruption will reduce drastically?. Well I don’t believe so, I just believe the problem is with the institutions who are to monitor and check these corrupt practices and the kind of punishment we give to people who indulge in corrupt practices.

Honestly there are more issues to be digested on this matter, I will surely come again on this, and I will present some more facts on hopefully to help close the chapter on why such a religious nation like Ghana, can be highly corrupt as it is.

Samuel Nana Kwame Aboagye
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www.nanaadu.com