Beliefs in the Activities of Witchcraft in Ghana

Abstract

This study discusses how beliefs in the activities of witchcraft have been ingrained in the Ghanaian terrain and its adverse impact on Ghanaians. The methodology used in this qualitative study is the interpretive paradigm. The study also outlines the general belief in the activities of witches. The study findings suggest that the belief of the potency of witchcraft activities in Ghana is a major hindrance to personal and national development. The study argues that the emphasis placed on witchcraft activities promotes a dependency theory where individuals become irresponsible because every evil, mess and bigoted paradigm that suppresses the development of a person or the nation can be attributed to a remote cause elsewhere. The ideal belief system proposed for the development of Ghana and all individuals should neither be animistic nor secularist but Christ-centered and biblically premised. The study contributes to current research on witchcraft belief in Ghana.

Keywords

• beliefs
• witchcraft
• development