Religion and the Politics of Fourth Republican Elections In Ghana (1992, 1996)

Abstract

Religion and Politics are inextricably Linked in Ghana. Chana's Fourth Republican presidential and parliamentary elections reveal how this relationship is heightened during the campaigns of political parties and politicians. This indicates recognition of the strong influence religion wields in the political lives and preferences of the people. The paper reviews the various religious issiues that emerged in the first two elections of the Fourth Republican constitution held in 1992 and 1996. It proposes that the current confluence of religion and politics in Ghana is largely due to the role the Christian Council of Ghana and the National Catholic secretariat played in setting the scene for the current democratic governance. Their calls for God-fearing leaders led to a host of "God-inspired candidates seeking election. The phenomenon discussed range from controversies over utterances relating to religion and religious groups to the use of Christian choruses as campaign songs during these elections. The paper seeks to capture a continuing dialogue between two constituencies. the religious and the political, and two realms of power, the spiritual and the political. As the latter taps into the current to authenticate its practice and authority, the former is taking cognisance of its influence and gradually emphasizing the ‘prophetic’ voice of religion in politics.