The Challenges of Interfaith Relations in Ghana: A Case Study of its Implications for Peace-Building in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Generalfy, Ghanaians are very religious, and religion holds a significant slake in Ghana. The reality of religious pluralism in Ghana dates back to the coming of the colonial masters in the fifteenth century. They came with Christianity to meet the native populace, most of whom already practiced the indigenous African Traditional Religion (ATR),1 In the eighteenth century. Islam joined the two existing religions. Since Ghanaians, like most African peoples, are deeply religious, they gladly embraced these new religions. Competing for adherents has been a common practice ot some Christians and Muslims.2 The ATR. Christianity, and Islam are the main religions practiced in Ghana. Hence it is very common to find people of different faiths coexisting within the same family or community and sharing common public or work places,’’ However. like in some other societies in the world,4 the ‘’misuse” and “misunderstanding” of religion has been a source of conflict in Ghana.