Healing practices among the neo-prophetic groups in Ghana: case study of three selected Neo-Prophetic Churches

Abstract

Over the last two decades, healing practices of the neo-prophetic Groups in Ghana have attracted attention. However, reasons why people resort to the neo-prophetic healers despite the technological improvement in medicine, is largely under-researched. The study was based on qualitative methods of which 30 respondents were interviewed within three selected churches, namely: Ebenezer Miracle Worship Centre in Kumasi, headed by Rev. Prophet Ebenezer Adarkwa Yiadom; House of Power Ministry International in Kumasi, headed by Rev. Prophet Francis Kwarteng and International Christian Life Centre in Cape Coast, headed by Rev. Isaac Boadu. Ten respondents were selected from each church comprising seven members who either claim to have been healed or yet to be healed and three officials from each Church. The study showed that individuals who resort to faith healers have the belief that diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, barrenness, stroke, malaria, typhoid, blindness, hepatitis, and mental illness are caused by demons or personal sins. Some neo-prophetic churches also believe that demons are the major cause of diseases and to others that diseases are caused by personal sins. These findings establish neo-prophetic churches as a Christian group, who operate on the Akan worldview that diseases have spiritual causation.