Ghana
June 4th

“Ghana, your faith has saved you!”

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” (Luke 18:42,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 33.1 million
Area | 238,533㎢, Located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.
Capital City | Accra (capital, 2.6 million), Kumasi (3.6 million)
People Groups | Total 111 Groups, Akan 45.7%, Mol-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%, Guan 3.2%, Gursi 2.7%
People Groups Unreached | 20 (6.3% of the population)
Official Language(s) | English
Total Languages | 99
Bible Translations | Completed 39, New Testament 34, Partial 7
Religion | Christianity 62.1% (Protestant 25.7%, independent church 21%), Islam 22.6%, Ethnic religion 15% Evangelical 25.9% (8.38 million people)
 

》 About Ghana

Ghana was historically known as the “Gold Coast.” In 1482, the Portuguese built Fort Elmina to develop gold mines, and later, the Dutch and the British continued the trade of gold and slaves. In 1874, Britain officially declared a colony, beginning with the Gold Coast, and Ghana gained independence in 1957. The first president, Kwame Nkrumah, pursued policies of African socialism and Pan-African nationalism, which strained relations with the West. He was overthrown in a military coup in 1966, and thereafter, political upheavals occurred almost every three years. Jerry Rawlings, chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), initially seized power through a coup in 1979 but soon handed over control to a civilian government. However, he took power again through a fourth coup in 1981. In the 2000 election, the Rawlings government was defeated, marking the country’s first transition to a fully civilian government. Ghana is a presidential republic, with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo serving as president since 2017 and re-elected in 2021.

The economy is primarily based on agriculture, which accounts for about 20% of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mostly smallholder farmers. Gold, oil, cocoa exports, and personal remittances are major sources of foreign exchange. With its abundant resources, including gold, oil, diamonds, and bauxite, along with a high education rate, Ghana is considered one of the most promising countries in West Africa. However, major economic challenges include a lack of affordable electricity, an insufficient domestic revenue base, and a high debt burden. While poverty levels have declined significantly, inequality is increasing due to widening income gaps between the north and south, as well as between urban and rural areas. Ghana’s GDP per capita is approximately $5,300

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Ghana has a rich Christian heritage, deeply rooted in the southern region. More than 62% of the population identifies as Christian, but only about 12% attend church regularly. Many Christians lean toward formality and nominalism, influenced by traditional worldviews that include materialism, witchcraft, and various rituals. During the severe economic, social, and natural disasters of 1983–84, traditional denominations such as the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches, along with African Independent Churches (AICs), experienced spiritual revival and growth. In 2007–2008 and 2010, the National Church Survey (NCS) and the Ghana Evangelical Commission (GEC) collaborated to establish numerous churches across the country, particularly in the north. However, as the number of churches grew, there were too few mature pastors and leaders, and many believers lacked understanding of biblical faith and truth due to insufficient training. Training programs are available through institutions such as the Christian Education College (WEC), Maranatha University (SIM), Ghana Christian University, Evangelical Theological University, and various Bible schools, lay training programs, and Theological Education by Extension (TEE).
Let us pray that the Ghanaian Church, like the desperate cry of the blind, will recognize its spiritual condition and be given a deep thirst to seek Jesus Christ earnestly. Let us also pray that God will call and train spiritual leaders who can rightly teach the Bible so that nominal believers will come to true faith in the gospel of the cross and be saved.

2. Overseas missionaries are partnering with Ghanaian churches through mission organizations such as Pioneers, International SIM Mission, WEC, the Global Mission Society of Korea (GMS), and Mercy Ship, engaging in discipleship training and Bible translation. The Ghanaian Church is actively taking responsibility for missions, spreading the gospel to unreached people groups in the north and to immigrants in the south. The Ghana Evangelical Council (GEC) has played a central role in the church’s missionary movement, while organizations such as the Christian Evangelical Fellowship (COF) and the Torchbearers have also sent missionaries. Missionary training is provided by various organizations, including Maranatha, the African Christian Mission, the Ghana Evangelical Missionary Training Center, and Ghana GlobeServe.
Let us pray that overseas missionaries and Ghanaian mission organizations will be filled with a greater passion to save souls. Let us also pray that mission organizations and churches will unite and serve one another to fulfill the Great Commission, so that groups of devoted followers of Jesus will arise everywhere.

3. The Muslim population in Ghana is increasing due to conversion through marriage, immigration, and childbirth. With financial support from Middle Eastern oil wealth, Islam is aggressively expanding by implementing a “one mosque per village” strategy. Meanwhile, Boko Haram in Nigeria is attempting to extend its influence into northern Ghana. Let us pray that these efforts will be restrained and that the gospel will be powerfully proclaimed among Muslims in the north—among the Hausa (300,000 people), Gonja (380,000 people), Dagomba (1.37 million people), Yoruba (500,000 people), and Kotokoli (170,000 people)—through missionaries and churches. Let us also pray for effective and fruitful evangelism among the northern Muslims who have migrated to large cities in the south, with a deep understanding of their language and culture. Ghana has a high proportion of youth and children, with 56% of the population under the age of 24. However, the country faces serious challenges: there are 250,000 AIDS orphans, and 3,000 children die from AIDS every year. Additionally, tens of thousands of street orphans are vulnerable to exploitation, with some being sold to witch doctors as religious slaves to atone for family sins, while others fall victim to forced labor and prostitution.
Let us pray that God will have mercy on Ghana’s next generation, rescuing them from evil exploitation. Let us also pray that children trapped in miserable circumstances will hear the gospel and come to know the joy and glory of living as children of God.

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