CHARISMATIC CHURCHES AND THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON WOMEN IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS

Abstract

Establishment of Charismatic Churches is a common phenomenon in the Kumasi Metropolis. In recent times, the Metropolis has witnessed a shift in the attitude of Charismatic churches in the area of social ministry. The study sought to investigate Charismatic Churches and their socio-economic effects on women in the Kumasi Metropolis. The theory of Sacred and Profane by Emile Durkheim as cited in (DanBright, 2013) and Structural Location theory, (David and Ian, 2000) were adopted and used to guide the study. The study adopted the case study research design (qualitative approach). Purposive sampling was used to select respondents for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Snowball sampling was also used to identify non-female charismatic church goers for one-on-one interviews. Nineteen in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted. The study revealed among others that charismatic churches which participated in the study were not having programmes targeted at improving the education of women/girls in particular. Also, it was revealed that the churches did organise health talks and health screening for women on prevailing health issues, and sold various items meant for healing sicknesses. Finally, the study found out that Charismatic churches in the Metropolis did not support women to access soft loans to do businesses. The study concluded that the Charismatic churches have not made conscious efforts to promote women education; played complementary roles in providing healthcare; and that, women who attend charismatic churches are not economically empowered. Therefore, the study recommends that effective policy be designed and implemented by Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council to regulate charismatic churches, and the activities they engage in.