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When one inquires about religious life in Ghana, two perspectives are possible. The first is that of an expatriate woman religious, like myself, who has lived in the country for 18 years and the second is that of one who is an indigenous Ghanaian. The perspectives arise out of very different experiences of religious life. I have experienced the post-Vatican II renewal of religious life in the United States; most religious in Ghana were not in religious life at the time of Vatican II nor were they yet born. In addition, I have found differences in perspective among those in Ghana who have studied and lived abroad and those who have not. Nonetheless, the Ghanaian perspective is deeply shaped by the culture and values of the people. Religious life in Ghana is relatively young. People have deep respect for religious who live their lives faithfully, yet many parents struggle when one of their children wants to become a religious. Having children, especially if one is a woman, is seen by some as the only way to happiness and the fulfillment of one’s duty to family. One Sister was asked, “If your mother had not given birth to you, would you be here?” Among those who value and respect religious life, a certain privilege is accorded religious which at times can conflict with the Gospel call to be “servant.” Religious in Ghana are deeply involved with the poor. They teach, nurse, run orphanages and minister to street children, prostitutes and those with AIDS. Much effort is given to the development of poor women. Often the income given religious is insufficient so they, too, live with many deprivations and some find it very difficult to support their congregations. On the other hand, many religious are more affluent than many of their brothers and sisters because of shared resources (place of living, car, etc.). At times religious struggle with the living of their own vow of poverty and the needs of their families. One of the strengths of religious life in Ghana is its “community-orientation.” Religious give to one another a great deal of support, especially in times of need. However, as one Sister said, “At times an individual can be lost if conformity is too great.” She also noted that the “uniqueness which makes one stand out can cause problems if the giftedness of the individual is not seen in service of the group.” The attempt of many tribes, cultures, races and ages to live together in peace and harmony is a much-needed witness in a world where so many conflicts are due to ethnic and racial differences. Religious frequently come together as major superiors, formators, co-workers in dioceses, women religious, teachers and hospital personnel. They collaborate with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and speak to national issues such as education for the girl child, the right to health care, school reform and the rights of women in marriage and widowhood. Women religious are also working with laywomen in and outside the church to foster gender equality in all areas of life. I have been deeply privileged to work with those aspiring to religious life and those who have lived religious life from one to almost 50 years. The men and women I have met are deeply dedicated to religious life and they desire to live it ever more fully. Many desire further education and ongoing formation so as to be ever more effective in a world that is rapidly changing and experiencing both the positive and negative effects of globalization. As one young religious put it so beautifully, “religious life is a mystery that needs to be cherished.” Religious life in Ghana is a mystery that needs to be cherished and I hope further inculturated. I believe that African religious in general and Ghanaian religious in particular need to review religious life as it has been given to them and fashion it in a way that reflects more fully the African/Ghanaian way of life. Only then will Africa make its rightful contribution to the history and development of religious life in the third millennium. (I am indebted to Sr. Georgina Edwine, SSL; Sr. Juliet Mensah, SJC; Sr. Emily Owusu Ansah, FST and Sr. Cecilia Boateng, SSpS for their contributions. Each is a Ghanaian woman religious). About the author: Mary Anne Hoope, BVM (Bernarde Marie) is director of the Centre for Spiritual Renewal in Kumasi, Ghana and a member of the BVM Initial Membership Committee. Return
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