Pastoral And Theological Responses To The Effects Of Witchcraft Beliefs In Ghana

Abstract

The prevalence of witchcraft beliefs in Ghana is not without effect in the milieu as violence and abuses have been the bane for the people. The interpretive paradigm was the perspective that heralded this qualitative study. The study explored the views of 50 respondents from the Akan and Konkomba context. Some of the effects of witchcraft beliefs as discussed in the study are gender and age inequality, poverty, exploitation of the weak and the vulnerable, violence, abuses and others. The effects were evaluated in the light of Ghanaians progress and their linkage to how ideas or beliefs can have grim consequences on a nation. Pastoral and theological responses have been recommended for the chauvinistic paradigm. The study contributes to knowledge on curbing the effects of witchcraft beliefs in Ghana.