Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
Under Article 12 (2) of its Constitution, “Every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual […] subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest.”[1] Article 21 (1, c) recognises “freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice”.
Religious groups are supposed to register with the government. Although registration exempts them from some taxes on non-profit activities, whether related to religious matters, charity work or education, most, especially indigenous religious groups, do not register, and failure to register is not penalised. For-profit activities by religious entities, like private schools and universities, are taxed.[2]
Religious instruction in state schools is mandatory, and pupils cannot opt out. Elements of both Christianity and Islam are included in the school programme. Islamic education is coordinated by a special unit in the Education Ministry. Faith-based private schools are allowed, but they must follow the Ministry’s programme, except for international schools.[3]
More than two thirds of the country’s population is Christian, with Muslims – mostly Sunni – making up a comparatively smaller proportion. Islamic extremism is rare in Ghana.[4]
In West Africa, Ghana has long been regarded as an example of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims.[5]
Incidents and developments
Regarding fundamental human rights[6] as well as economic and policy development, [7] the Republic of Ghana has one of the best records in West Africa.
Ghana has long been stable, whereas other countries in West Africa, notably the bordering nations of Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ivory Coast, have come under increasing threat from terrorist groups stemming from the Sahel and moving towards the coastal states.
This worrying trend has continued over the past couple of years. Ghana shares a 600-km (372-mile) border with Burkina Faso, a nation grappling with an insurgency tied to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State Group that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions across the region.[8] Despite extensive, foreign-supported military campaigns over the past 12 years, insurgents have continued to expand their reach.
On 26 October 2024, the Ghanaian government dismissed a Reuters report alleging that Islamist militants in Burkina Faso were covertly using northern Ghana as a logistical and medical hub to support their insurgency. In a statement, the Security Ministry denied the existence of any “non-aggression policy” or informal agreements with such groups: “The ministry firmly rejects the characterisation of Ghana as a ‘supply line’ for militants. Ghana’s counter-terrorism measures are widely acknowledged by regional and global partners in the ongoing fight against terrorism.”[9] Another report, likewise from Reuters, cited several sources including Ghanaian security officials and diplomats from the region, claiming that Ghanaian authorities were largely ignoring insurgents crossing from Burkina Faso to procure food, fuel, and explosives, as well as seek medical treatment for wounded fighters.[10]
In November 2023, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs announced the development of a national policy to guide religious activities. The policy aims to address challenges arising from the coexistence of different faiths and beliefs, ensure religious tolerance and protect the rights of all religious groups. It proposes consulting stakeholders for input into policy development.[11]
On 18 December 2023, Pope Francis approved a document published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith[12] broadening the pastoral meaning of blessings concerning same-sex couples titled “Fiducia Supplicans”.
In Africa, the document spurred swift reaction and stiff opposition based on concerns to African religious and cultural norms. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, aligned with other African bishops, issued an official statement detailing the implications of the papal declaration.[13] On 11 January 2024, after much deliberation with the Vatican, the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) rejected the document. Later in the same month, Pope Francis, acknowledging and respecting the cultural concerns, characterised Africa as “a special case.”[14]
Tensions arose among Ghanaian lawmakers, and between traditional and religious leaders and LGBTQ activists, after the country’s Supreme Court postponed a hearing on a challenge to an anti-LGBTQ bill. Many Ghanaians, supported by traditional and religious leaders, advocated for the bill stating that LGBTQ rights are foreign to the Ghanaian culture. Civil society groups and activists, however, opposed the bill, calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional.[15] Parliament had unanimously passed the bill in February 2024, further restricting LGBTQ rights, however, President William Nana Akufo-Addo delayed signing it, citing ongoing legal challenges before the Supreme Court. A disputed concern was a warning from the Ministry of Finance that enacting the bill could jeopardise US$3.8 billion in World Bank funding and disrupt a US$3 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund.[16]
At the beginning of 2024, the Catholic news agency ACI Africa, reported on concerns raised by the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious in Ghana (CMSR-Gh) about the country’s upcoming general elections, which they described as unprecedented in the nation’s history. They urged Ghanaians to pray for a peaceful electoral process. The statement, signed by CMSR-Gh President Fr Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, declared: “After 32 years of democratic governance, one would expect an election year to feel routine. Sadly, 2024 does not appear to be a typical election year, as the stakes are higher than ever”.[17] As Ghanaians prepared to vote on 7 December 2024 to elect the president and members of parliament, the Major Superiors of Religious appealed to all people of faith to pray “throughout the year”. They also called on all stakeholders “to play their role putting Ghana first” and appealed to the Electoral Commission “to be seen to be a fair and a neutral arbiter”.[18] Likewise, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), called on Ghanaians to avoid framing the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections as a religious conflict. “We must try our best not to make this election a battle between Christians and Muslims. Whoever qualifies to be president must be Ghanaian.”[19] In fact, for the first time in over three decades, the 2024 elections had candidates from two different religions leading the biggest parties: Mahamudu Bawumia, a Muslim, and, John Mahama, a Christian. On 10 December, the latter, a candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former president, won with 56.55 per cent of the vote.[20]
Prospects for freedom of religion
Overall, while religious freedom is legally recognised, respected, and practised, its full enjoyment could be jeopardised by growing insecurity in the north resulting from the spillover of jihadist activity in neighbouring countries. The outlook for religious freedom in Ghana remains positive but requires monitoring.
Ghana