The role of religion in the socio-economic and professional life of the military personnel

Abstract

This work was done to find out whether religion actually plays any role in the socio- economic and professional life of the military personnel. Though the military has made provisions for and are required at every level to make such provisions that would enable the military personnel to practice a religion of his/her choice, the military personnel is largely perceived as not being religious.The work was to find out what has led to this perception. It was also to find out the extent by which the military chaplaincy has influenced the military personnel in the practice of religion. To attain the needed result, research was conducted among the personnel of the 2 Garrison of the Ghana Armed Force located in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area. In all 120 military personnel were covered through the use of questionnaires. Personnel postulated religion plays a very important role in the life of the military personnel whether during peace time or war time. Personnel also posited that their involvement in religion can be graded as fair since majority of personnel do not show interest in religion as expected. They also cited the general bad attitude exhibited in the days of the revolution and in recent times as signs of unreligious nature of military personnel. They intimated chaplains have not had the needed influence on Military Personnel as expected due to lack of support from the commanders and the courage to do what is expected of them