Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 24:1 (Sep 2017)
Article: ‘Maame, You Are A Witch’: An Inquiry Into The Phenomenon Of Witchcraft In Ghanaian Socio-Religious Life
Author: Joseph Quayesi-Amakye

Conspectus 24:1 (September 2017) p. 165

‘Maame, You Are A Witch’: An Inquiry Into The Phenomenon Of Witchcraft In Ghanaian Socio-Religious Life

Joseph Quayesi-Amakye1

Abstract

This paper is an investigation into the phenomenon of witchcraft among Ghanaians. It approaches it from the perspective of Pentecostal prophetism. It argues that like in primal Akan belief Ghanaian Pentecostals attribute most evil to the activities of witchcraft. Considered as evil forces, witches are believed to possess destructive powers and are elusive in their operations to the ordinary person. Therefore, their activities cannot be ignored if people want to enjoy life to the fullest. This means it is important that believers engage in spiritual activities that help to break their powers over their human victims. This is where deliverance, an ambiguous spiritual activity, comes in.

Conspectus 24:1 (September 2017) p. 166

1. Introduction

The question this paper will answer is: What are the characteristics, social impact and ways of coping with witchcraft in Ghanaian Pentecostal prophetism, and to what extent does the Akan primal worldview influence such understanding? As a phenomenon, prophetism continues to characterize Ghanaian socio-religious life. Prophetic services/meetings are reaching a crescendo louder than most other brands of Christianity. What is interesting is that similar phenomena are characterizing many non-Christian religious groups. Prophets, Christians and non-Christians, find the media (radio, television, bill-boards, posters, handbills, and the like) as the best means of advertising their prowess. A characteristic feature of prophetism is the place of witchcraft as causality of evil and suffering. In this paper we will inquire into the phenomenon of witchcraft from contemporary Pentecostal prophetism. Many Ghanaian Pentecostals believe that misfortune is closely connected to the activities of witchcraft, sorcery, bad medicine and activities of other evil entities, which always seek the ill of less powerful people. Many Pentecostal prophetic services are often characterized by witchcraft identification and accusation. The central place witchcraft continues to occupy in the minds of Pentecostals in particular and Ghanaians in general shows that its reality is not considered to be a savage superstition (cf. Bowie 2000:217-218).

2. Nature, Possession And Manifestation Of Witchcraft

It appears among all the spiritual sources of evil and suffering witchcraft occupies the highest pedestal, though some prophets claim it is the smallest spiritual power. Yet because possessors are humans, it shows the most intimate knowledge of its victims, hence the fear and abhorrence of it. Witchcraft is consi...