PENTECOSTALS AND POLITICS IN GHANA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: FROM ENCLAVE TO ENGAGEMENT BY FREDRICK ACHEAMPONG A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies Victoria University of Wellington 2018 This thesis has been conducted under the supervision of: Dr Geoffrey Troughton (Co-Supervisor) Victoria University of Wellington Wellington, New Zealand and Prof. Paul Morris (Co-Supervisor) Victoria University of Wellington Wellington, New Zealand ABSTRACT Using a case study of six Pentecostal ministries, spanning four strands of Pentecostalism in Ghana, this study examines Pentecostals’ engagement with politics during the Fourth Republican era of Ghana’s political history (1993-present). The aim is to discern whether there is a new and distinctive Pentecostal political engagement different from that of Historic Mission Churches, and from its own past, and evaluate its significance. To address this, three practical areas of Pentecostal participation in politics are examined: (1) democracy; (2) political economy; and, (3) prophetic politics. The argument is that Pentecostals in Ghana have transitioned from an ‘enclave’ community to one of sustained political engagement. The study demonstrates that this transition entails both continuities and discontinuities in Pentecostal political engagement. The new elements that are highlighted are the development of a distinctive prophetic politics focussed on ‘divine prediction,’ which forecasts political happenings, and more active and unique ways of participating in Ghana’s democracy and economy that closely reference the democratic and national economic goals. The study evidences the academic value in widening studies on Pentecostal political engagement beyond prosperity teachings and enchanted world views to include Pentecostal practice, alongside Pentecostal theologies. The thesis contributes to advancing knowledge specifically in the areas of Pentecostals and politics, and Christianity and politics in Ghana, and West Africa more generally. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My foremost thanks go to the Almighty God for guiding me through this journey. I thank the Faculty of Graduate Research for granting me the Victoria Doctoral Scholarship which aided me financially in carrying out this research. I would like to thank sincerely my two co- supervisors, Dr Geoff Troughton and Prof Paul Morris, for their advice, suggestions and critiques during this research journey. Their continuous encouragement and constant reminder that I am ‘nearly there,’ sustained me throughout the programme. My sincere thanks also go to Rev. Prof. Elom Dovlo and Rev. Dr Abamfo Ofori Atiemo who recommended me for this programme by writing my PhD. application references. Further appreciation goes to Aliki Kalliabetsos for being a mother who comforted me during trying moments and always went the extra mile to ensure I had all the resources required for the programme. I also thank my Church in Ghana and in New Zealand for their support and prayers. Special thanks to Pastors Willard Katumbu and Peace Katumbu for shaping my spiritual life and encouraging me with words of wisdom that kept me focused on my goal. To Madam Ama Serwah, my mother, for unceasing prayers and Mr Prince Okrah Acheampong who has been more than a father, by funding my studies up to this level. Thanks to my family, both home and abroad, particularly Maud my wife and our two daughters, Jesiah and Roniel, who had to endure years of my absence and days without attention. To my siblings Mrs Joyce Osei, Mrs Gladys Boateng and Ms Rose Amma Acheampong, I would like to say a big thank you for your prayers and financial support to ensure that your brother and last born gets the best of education. To all my loved ones and friends, Broderick, Hamish, Diana, Suzzy, Seth, Comfort, Dorcas, Setor, Eric (and family), Kenny, Winifred, Francis, Agnes, Alfred, Emmanuel, Shivani, Sue Ann, Hanlie, Sophia, Sani, Nana Marfo, Andy, Reagan, Martin, Evelyn, James and all church members of Christ for Salvation Ministries International for your prayers and encouragement. My final thanks go to all respondents, without whose inputs this work would not have been complete. Thank you. ii CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... ii CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................. v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ............................................................ 1 1.0.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.0 Background Issues ........................................................................................................ 2 1.1.1 Politics in Ghana ....................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Religion in Ghana ..................................................................................................... 5 1.2.0 Christianity and Politics Prior to 1993 .......................................................................... 8 1.2.1 Christianity and Colonial Era Government ............................................................... 8 1.2.2 The Independence Struggle..................................................................................... 10 1.2.3 The Post-Colonial Era to 1993 ................................................................................ 12 1.3.0 Pentecostalism in Ghana ............................................................................................. 15 1.3.1 The Church of Pentecost ......................................................................................... 16 1.3.2 Assemblies of God-Ghana ...................................................................................... 17 1.3.3 Action Chapel International .................................................................................... 18 1.3.4 International Central Gospel Church ...................................................................... 19 1.3.5 Ghana Evangelical Society ..................................................................................... 19 1.3.6 Glorious Word Power Ministries International ....................................................... 20 1.3.7 Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council .......................................................... 20 1.3.8 National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches ................................ 21 1.3.9 Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana ................................................................ 21 1.4.0 The Thesis ................................................................................................................... 22 1.5.0 Conceptual Approaches .............................................................................................. 24 1.6.0 Sources and Methods .................................................................................................. 26 1.7.0 Thesis Overview ......................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 2: PENTECOSTALS AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT ......................... 31 2.0.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 31 2.1.0 Scholarly Contextualisation of Pentecostals and Politics: Global and Local ............. 33 2.2.0 Distinctive Pentecostal Emphases ............................................................................... 41 2.2.1 PMs and Ghana’s Fourth Republican Democracy .................................................. 42 2.2.2 PMs and Socio-Economic Concern ........................................................................ 43 2.2.3 PMs Spiritual Politics and the Emergent Prophetic Politics ................................... 44 2.2.4 PMs Theologies: Interpreting the Distinctive Emphasis ........................................ 45 2.3.0 Methods and Strategies in Pentecostal Interventions.................................................. 46 2.4.0 Structures and Styles in Pentecostal Interventions ..................................................... 48 2.5.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 50 CHAPTER 3: PENTECOSTALS AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ................ 51 3.0.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 51 3.1.0 Pentecostals and Democratic Protection ..................................................................... 53 3.1.1 Participation in Governance System ....................................................................... 54 3.1.2 Serving on Civil Society and State Institutions ...................................................... 55 3.1.3 Prophetic Accountability ........................................................................................ 58 3.2.0 Pentecostals and Democratic Elections .....................................................................