Ghana Journal of Religion and Theology

Religion and Theology in a Changing World:

George Ossom-Batsa — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Editor's Note

Redefining Christology: Women and Jesus’ Identity

Amelia Dodoo, Nicoletta Gatti — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The article examines women's role in Christological reflections through a dialogical engagement between Martha of Bethany (John 11:17-27) and the Ghanaian theologian Mercy Amba Oduyoye. Employing the Communicative Perspective to African Biblical Hermeneutic, the study offers a narrative-critical exegesis demonstrating the Christological value of Martha's dialogue with Jesus. Notably, it is to a woman — not to Peter or the Twelve — that Jesus reveals himself as "the resurrection and the life," and it is a woman who responds with one of the most notable confessions of faith in the Fourth Gospel. The article then analyses Oduyoye's understanding of Jesus as liberator and affirmer of women's full humanity. By bringing Martha and Mercy into dialogue, the study reveals structural parallels: both encounter Christ from marginalisation, both bring lived experience, both arrive at profound Christological insight, and both become catalysts for others' faith. The article argues that Martha's paradigm of theological agency finds contemporary expression in Oduyoye's work, with implications for a more inclusive ecclesiology.

A Reformed Practical Theology for Spiritual Care in a Spirited World

Esther E. Acolatse — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reformed theology is often considered too dogmatic to be a conversation partner with other disciplines for a viable practical theological method in spiritual care. When imaginatively engaged, however, Reformed theology can partner with psychology to ameliorate spiritual distress even in cross-cultural and interreligious spiritual care while being at once biblical, credal, and contextual even when theology is made to be the primary care giving language. This paper starts with a brief history of the search for method in practical theology as an academic field and offers critiques of some of the methods and suggests an alternate integrative/interdisciplinary approach charted by James E. Loder and Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger but with clear emphasis on the primacy of theology in this partnership as the penultimate approach to spiritual care. The essay finally demonstrates, by way of a case study, how the inherent expansiveness and hospitality of theology in its ‘pentecostalness’ frees all disciplines/languages (in this case, psychology) to full expression in aiding theology in its therapeutic enterprise, especially where belief in otherworldly forces characterises common life.

Digital Prophets and Political Pulpits

Richard Osei Akoto — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article offers a theological-conceptual analysis of the Church’s evolving role within digitally mediated public spheres under conditions of algorithmic governance. Rather than presenting primary empirical data, it develops a typology of two ideal ecclesial postures online: the “digital prophet,” which challenges systemic injustice and amplifies marginalized voices, and the “political pulpit,” which reinforces partisan ideologies and theological populism. Drawing on digital religion, political theology, media studies, and African scholarship on religion and media, the study examines how platform logics—including commodification, virality, and algorithmic suppression—shape ecclesial communication. It argues for a renewed public theology that resists algorithmic distortion while reclaiming the Church’s prophetic vocation. By foregrounding African scholars such as Asamoah-Gyadu, de Witte, Ukah, Chiado, and Tarsadia, the article recontextualizes global debates for West Africa and proposes digital discipleship, technological justice advocacy, and future empirical research in Ghana.

Human Rights Discourse in Africa

Christopher Byaruhanga — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Some scholars have observed that the protection of human rights in Africa has become increasingly complex and challenging, particularly within religious institutions that continue to shape social and moral life across the continent. This article argues that one of the central tensions facing the African Anglican Church lies in the conflict between hierarchical ecclesiastical authority and modern equality-based human rights frameworks. While Anglican structures traditionally emphasise authority, order, orthodoxy, and obedience, contemporary human rights discourse increasingly prioritises equality, inclusion, freedom, participation, and non-discrimination. Recognising the tension between traditional teachings and modern interpretations of human rights, the study underscores the significant role of the African Anglican Church in advancing this discourse. The article contends that unless the African Anglican Church intentionally engages this tension through theological reflection and institutional dialogue, it risks weakening its moral authority within the broader human rights discourse. Using a literature-based and theologically informed methodology, the article critically examines how Anglican authority structures both enable and hinder the Africa Anglican Church’s prophetic role in defending human dignity. It further explores the opportunities available for the Church to reconcile its theological traditions with contemporary human rights concerns while remaining faithful to Christian doctrine and African realities.

African Pentecostalism in Context

Comfort Max-Wirth — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pentecostalism has emerged as a transformative force within African Christianity, characterised by its emphasis on salvation, the Holy Spirit, and practices, such as faith healing, prophecy, and ecstatic worship. This paper explores the origins, growth, and impact of Pentecostalism in Africa, highlighting its unique adaptation to local cultural contexts. It traces the historical roots of African Pentecostalism, debating whether it originated from foreign influences, like the Azusa Street Revival or indigenous African Prophets, such as William Wade Harris. Furthermore, the paper examines the typology of Pentecostal movements in Africa, from Classical Pentecostal churches to Charismatic and Neo-Pentecostal groups, and analyses the factors driving their rapid spread, including socioeconomic challenges, media proliferation, and alignment with African spiritual worldviews. The paper also investigates the complex relationship between Pentecostalism and African Indigenous Religions (AIRs), noting both demonisation and gradual cultural integration. It identifies emerging trends, such as the rise of charismatic leaders, theological education, and political engagement, while addressing challenges like materialism, fake prophecies, and ethical controversies.

Faith, Social Protection, and Reproductive Health among Kayayei in Old Fadama

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines how religiosity shapes reproductive health knowledge, menstrual stigma, and contraceptive decision-making among ‘kayayei’ (female head porters) in Old Fadama, Accra. A cross-sectional survey of 342 participants, paired with qualitative narratives, indicates that religious norms of impurity and silence constrain menstrual hygiene practices, fertility awareness, and condom use in this informal settlement. Nearly half of respondents reported no knowledge of proper menstrual hygiene, and 70 percent had never heard of condoms. Qualitative accounts describe how faith-mediated taboos exclude menstruating girls from communal spaces and suppress open discussion of reproductive health. Comparison with a school-based study in the Kpando Municipality shows that structured education can counteract these norms. The article argues that social protection and reproductive health interventions must engage faith-based actors as partners (not as obstacles) to reach marginalised young women outside formal education systems.

Between Anthropocentrism and Ecocentrism

Harry Lawson K. Agbanu — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The paper examines the environmental ethics of the Mafi-Eʋe of Ghana's Volta Region, asking whether their indigenous practices are anthropocentric, ecocentric, or both. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with thirty-four participants including traditional priests, elders, hunters, and oyster pickers, the study analyses land cultivation, hunting, fishing, and oyster picking alongside sacred groves, totemic beliefs, hunting taboos, communal ethics, and folklore. While certain practices reflect human-centred motivations, the culture's religious beliefs, cosmology, and social norms collectively express a deep reverence for the natural world that transcends purely instrumental reasoning. The paper concludes that Mafi-Eʋe environmental ethics is best described as indirect ecocentrism a life-centred ethic rooted in indigenous religion and communal responsibility with significant implications for environmental ethics and sustainability in Africa.