who brought christianity to ghana

It currently has the largest number of followership in Ghana. The Rev. The Alexandria-based church initially used Greek, and it was not until the late 2nd century that both the liturgy and the scriptures were translated into three native languages. The focus is that the positives outweigh the negative. All these gods are generally assumed to be those that intermediate between the supreme being and the society. Indeed, the impact of Christianity, Western civilisation and Islam upon the traditional societies of this region has been quite substantial and profound. Christianity in the Ghana Gold Coast began in the fifteenth century. Christian Atsu, Black Stars midfielder is confident Ghana will win her fifth African Cup of Nations (AFCON) this year, in Egypt. The Ghana Empire, called the Wagadou (or Wagadu) Empire by its rulers, was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania, western Mali, and eastern Senegal. ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana is embracing the Christian faith with a fervour that is increasingly shaping its national identity. Christianity has played a vital role in the development of Ghana in so many ways. In Ghana the charismatic movement began in the 1950s with the emergence of new Pentecostalism. The various Christian denominations have grown from their humble beginning in the 19th century into the mega-institutions that they are in the twenty first century Ghana. The introduction of this religious group took place in 1482 at Elmina. The question of whether Christianity is a Whiteman's religion has been a lingering debate for generations. News Ghana is Ghana's leading online news portal for business in West Africa and around the World. It also discusses the current status of the religion. History of Islam in Ghana. Since the nation got her independence, there have been many leaders from the Christian body who have held major leadership positions in the country. Because of the rapid spring-up of a lot of these faith-based groups, one of the major concerns of many citizens of Ghana is the that they are bringing about confusion in the land. Ghana is known as a Christian nation and every corner in Ghana has a church. Then, we consider various churches that are in Ghana together with the impact of Christianity on the country as a whole. The beginning of Christianity in Ghana dates back to the 15th century when the Europeans arrived at the then Gold Coast. They would, in due course spread the Catholic faith to other communities (Ahiable-Addo 2001:2). However, the Presbyterians and the Methodist missionaries are ones who laid the foundation for Christian churches in Ghana in the 19 th century. We also have Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary, and Adisadel College on the list. They are said to be the sect that brought Christianity to Ghana. In fact, it is recorded that almost all the top second cycle level of institutions that exist in Ghana are mission schools. These different forms of Christianity include the Evangelical Presbyterian, the Catholicism, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In many ways, Prophet Harris can be considered as the precursor of the Pentecostal Movement in Ghana. As it stands today, Christianity is the most pronounced religion among all the religions in Ghana. Before we look at Christianity in Ghana, it is worth considering the religion that was in operation before this European-introduced religion came to take over. Unfortunately, many of these churches followed after the Old Testament doctrine and so, they got involved in the sacrifice of animals and others. The only difference was that the Roman Catholic had a moderate representation at the Central region and Ashanti region. The beginning of Christianity in Ghana dates back to the 15th century when the Europeans arrived at the then Gold Coast. There are various forms of Christianity that exist in Ghana today. Members of this Council include the Methodist, Anglican, Mennonite, and the Presbyterian. This was done at Elmina (El Mina-the gold mines) in 1482 by some Catholic priests who accompanied the Portuguese immigrants who arrived in the Gold Coast in January 1482 to build Fort St.George (Sao Jaogo), the present day Elmina Castle. (Christian and Muslim) in formal education which initially brought the gates of higher learning to the people along the coast and in the savannah.3 However, before this period (the coming of early European traders and Islam to the gold coast), indigenous religion ensured the impartation of knowledge through ceremonial and informal means established by the society. These socio-economic institutions include health-care delivery units, educational institutions and industrial institutions which really impacted on the economy of the country. The coming of the Europeans to the Gold Coast and their spread was what led to the introduction of Christianity in Ghana. The Christian religious group has also taken active roles in national politics. It was later in May 1880 that the Catholic Church emerged again. The African Story: Amazing Growth, Unthinkable Persecution In the 20th century alone, there have been some 1.8 million Christian martyrs in Africa. Accra, Dec. 25, GNA - Christians have been urged to manage the joy of Christmas not fall foul of the law. This act marked the formal establishment of the Methodist Church in Ghana. As it is, the preaching of adulterated messages has brought about spiritual pollution in the land. For example, in Akan, He is called Nyame while in Ewe, He is Mawu. The Methodist Church was established in Cape Coast by the Rev. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The arrival of the Europeans in 15th century into the then Gold Coast brought Christianity to the land. Thus, this article takes a look at the history of Christianity in Ghana. After the founding of a republic in 1960, the state became identified with a single political party (the CPP), with Nkrumah, as life president of both, taking ever more power for himself. The beliefs and practices of the traditional religions in Africa can enrich Christian theology and spirituality." Furthermore, in terms of health care service delivery, there are quite a number of churches in Ghana who have also played a major role. A conference of mainly African theologians, held in Ghana in December 1977, said in its final communiqué: "The God of history speaks to all peoples in particular ways. Others within this category are the African Methodist Episcopal Zionist, Christian Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran, Baptist churches, and the Society of Friends. Ghana sits on West Africa’s coastline along the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by the Ivory Coast and Togo to the west and east and Burkina Faso to the north. "If we do not manage the joy of Christmas, we will end up over doing things which could lead us to sin or fall prey to other offences. Christianity has become the most practiced religion in the country. Based on all that has been said so far, it is a proven fact that the presence of Christianity in Ghana has brought major developments into the land, although it has had it's ups and downs. However, this intention was not possible and it took the Catholic missionaries twenty eighty years to found a formal church in Asante. Islam was introduced by traders of Sahelian tribes of West Africa. Among all the ethnic groups that existed in Ghana, there was a traditional practice before the introduction of other forms of religion. Christianity was brought into Ghana by the Europeans who arrived on the Gold Coast in the 15 th Century during the exploration of West Africa. Ghana Manasseh Kwame Dakwa Bediako, late rector of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute for Theology, Mission, and Culture,[1] in Akropong, Ghana, was born on July 7, 1945. Eventually, the religion overshadowed other forms of traditional or spiritual practices. There is no consensus on when precisely it originated, but its development is linked to the changes in trade that emerged throughout the centuries after the introduction of the camel to the western Sahara (3rd century). The first converts were usually the poor and slaves as they had a great deal to gain from the Christians being successful. In Africa the traditional religions are a major source for the study of the African experience of God. Although Christianity began in North Africa several centuries before its introduction in Egypt, the church in North Africa did not grow as quickly because the North African church used the Latin language in its services and literature, rather than the language of the people. After earlier unsuccessful attempts by the missionaries Chretien Proten, Henrick Huckuff and Jacobus Capitein, the Anglican, Rev. This has stayed in place despite the wide spreading of Christianity and other forms of religion in Ghana. The Catholic Church is one of the mainstream Christian religious missions in Ghana. He charted new directions for African Christian theology. Christianity was initially known for sound doctrine and moral teachings that were aimed at grooming a responsible set of people in the nation. The early converts to Christianity in Ancient Rome faced many difficulties. Many of these mission hospitals and clinics focus on areas where people seem to be impoverished and marginalized. Christianity found its way to Sudan in the 1st century as well, and the region's Nubian churches had links to those in Egypt. Some of the orthodox churches were forming their own groups and raising their own set of leadership without the approval of their mother church. 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