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March 25, 2005
Got religion?
It is believed that Christianity arrived on the Gold Coast (present day Ghana) with the first Portuguese settlers in the sixteenth century. Christian missionaries began streaming in during colonial times and the flood continues today. The majority of Ghanaians have embraced Christianity -- and how.
Religion is evident everywhere around me. The streets are littered with restaurants, shops and companies named with faith in mind. Some of my recent favorites include "Praise God Cell Phone Repair", "He Is Risen Chop Bar", "Shower of Blessings Boutique", "Faith Chemical Store", "God First Spare Parts", "By God's Power" medicine stand, and "The Finger of God Beauty Salon". When the business name is not a profession of faith, some add postscripts giving full credit to their higher power, as with the "Happy Home Fashion" shop.
City taxis and tro-tros (that's 'bush taxis' to my Niger friends) profess their faith on fenders and windows. "Well Done Jesus" is spelled out in adhesive letters on the back window of the taxi in front of me. "It's God!!!!!!" reads the front fender of a tro-tro bound for the coast. "It's a Miracle" proclaims the bumper of a tro-tro heading to Buduburam. (It usually IS a miracle that these tro-tros are moving).
While more than seventy percent of Ghanaians are Christian, according to the 2000 census, somewhere around twenty percent are Muslim. Most Muslims are in the north, but I have happened upon many stores here in the south named in praise of Allah.
Today, Good Friday, is a national holiday and the thousands and thousands of churches in Ghana are filled with worshippers. Even Mahmoud, a Muslim friend here, is heading to the mosque this morning for a special prayer session... Or maybe he just gets to go to the mosque for midday prayers since he has the day off. Unclear to me, as are so many things here.
Posted by Cathryn Poff at March 25, 2005 8:26 AM
Comments
Hi Cathryn, It was interesting reading your comments on this countrys religion. Have you been to any of their Churchs? You mention the different Christian names of local shops, etc. What kind of Church names do they have? Are they allowed to practice their religions freely? Are they accepting of women as Church leaders? Are the children enbracing Sunday School? Are there enough Bibles to go around? Lots of curiouslity on this end. What a wonderful experience you must be having. Will try to keep in touch. Enjoy reading your comments. Thanks to your Mom for keeping me informed.
Posted by: Roberta Lundgren at March 26, 2005 9:44 PM