By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-10-17 14:11:16 | Updated at 2026-10-17 15:01:00
58 minutes ago
GUIDES · GHANA
Key Facts
- —The country Ghana counted 30,832,019 people in its 2021 census. Christians are the majority overall, and Muslims are the majority in three northern regions.
- —The faiths In 2021, 71.3% of people were Christian, 19.9% Muslim and 3.2% followers of traditional religion. Another 4.5% followed other faiths and 1.1% had no religion.
- —The churches Pentecostal and Charismatic churches are the largest Christian group at 31.6% of the population in 2021. Protestants hold 17.4% and Catholics 10.0%.
- —The map In 2021, 66.5% of people in the Northern Region were Muslim. In Greater Accra, 47.3% belonged to Pentecostal or Charismatic churches.
- —The leaders As of October 2026, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu is National Chief Imam and Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi leads the Catholic bishops. The Reverend Enoch Thompson has chaired the Christian Council since May 2026.
- —The politics A bill known as the anti-LGBTQ bill passed Parliament on 29 May 2026 but had not become law when Parliament adjourned on 31 July 2026. Church leaders have pressed for it to be signed or strengthened.
Ghana religion explained: who believes what, which churches and mosques matter, and where faith meets law and politics. All figures are dated and come from official sources or named Ghanaian reporting as of October 2026.
Ghana religion is mostly Christian on paper, yet faith life is shaped as much by region, church style and chiefs as by creed. The 2021 census recorded 71.3% Christians, 19.9% Muslims and 3.2% followers of traditional religion.
For US readers the practical points are political and social. Faith leaders press the government on law, mining and drugs, and the president has warned that religious tension must not damage peace.
Ghana Religion by the Numbers
The Ghana Statistical Service counted 30,832,019 people in its 2021 Population and Housing Census. Its religion table covers the 30,753,327 people living in households.
Christians were 71.3% of that total, or 21,932,708 people. Muslims were 19.9% (6,108,530), followers of traditional religion 3.2% (999,319), other religions 4.5% and people with no religion 1.1% (328,721).
The census splits Christians into four groups. Pentecostal and Charismatic churches hold 31.6%, Protestants 17.4%, Catholics 10.0% and other Christian groups 12.3%.
The Church of Pentecost, the International Central Gospel Church and Assemblies of God count as Pentecostal or Charismatic. Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches count as Protestant.
Urban areas hold higher shares of Christians and Muslims than rural areas, the census report says. Other faiths, including traditional religion, are proportionally larger in the countryside.
Where Each Faith Is Strongest
Faith in Ghana follows geography. In 2021, 66.5% of people in the Northern Region were Muslim, as were 64.1% in the Savannah Region and 61.2% in the North East Region.
The south is overwhelmingly Christian. Greater Accra was 84.4% Christian and the Central Region 84.1%, and 47.3% of people in Greater Accra belonged to Pentecostal or Charismatic churches.
The Upper West Region is the most mixed. There 46.0% were Christian and 45.2% Muslim, and Catholics alone were 33.8%.
Traditional religion is strongest in the Upper East and in the east. It reached 17.5% in the Upper East Region, 12.7% in Oti and 9.7% in Volta.
Christian Churches and Their Leaders
Three umbrella bodies regularly issue national statements for Ghana’s churches. They are the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council.
The Christian Council elected the Reverend Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, as chairman on 21 May 2026. He succeeded the Right Reverend Dr Bliss Divine Agbeko, and the Reverend Dr Cyril Fayose is general secretary.
The Catholic bishops are led by Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi as of October 2026. Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie is Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, and Cardinal Peter Turkson, a Ghanaian, commented on the first National Day of Prayer in July 2025.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye was re-elected chairman of the Church of Pentecost in May 2023 for five years. Assemblies of God Ghana re-elected the Reverend Stephen Wengam as General Superintendent in August 2026.
Churches also run schools, clinics and scholarships. A Citi Newsroom commentary of 25 April 2026 cited that record to argue that church leaders must be free to speak on national issues.
Islam in the North and the Cities
Islam is the second faith, with 6,108,530 followers in 2021. The census puts Al-Sunna and Tijaniya Muslims, Shia and Ahmadis in one group.
Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu is the National Chief Imam. Party figures seek his support, and Citi Newsroom reported an NDC delegation asking for his prayers in May 2026 and Speaker Alban Bagbin visiting him in July 2026.
Islam is not only a northern faith. The Ashanti Region had 866,117 Muslims in 2021, or 16.0% of its people, and the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, held a Ramadan iftar at the Kumasi Central Mosque on 13 March 2026.
Traditional Faiths, Festivals and Chiefs
The census describes traditional religion as worship of deities and ancestors, and 999,319 people followed it in 2021. Its festivals still shape city life, as the Homowo noise ban in Accra shows.
Before Homowo, the Ga Traditional Council bans noisemaking within the Ga State. In 2026 the ban ran from 4 May to 4 June, the council announced on 26 March.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly told churches to keep services inside their premises and drop musical instruments. It also barred loudspeakers outside churches and mosques, roadside evangelism and, under Ga custom, funerals.
The Akuapem Odwira festival planned a 200th anniversary for September 2026. The Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, describes it as a rite of purification, thanksgiving and honouring of ancestors that also marks a victory over the Ashanti army in 1826.
Disturbances broke out at the Ahenase Odwira in Larteh, Eastern Region, on 3 October 2026. Police said calm was restored the next day but gave no cause and no arrest details.
Accusations of witchcraft remain a human rights issue in the north. Camps in Gambaga, Kukuo and Gnani shelter people accused of witchcraft, and a parliamentary committee visited them in September 2025.
The Gender Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said on 16 September 2026 that government would take over the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill. It had been reintroduced as a private member’s bill before the recess.
Faith and Politics
In April 2025 President John Dramani Mahama declared that 1 July, Republic Day, would also be the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. He called the harmony of Christians, Muslims and traditionalists “a national treasure we must never take for granted”.
The 2026 observance in Accra on 1 July carried the theme “Resetting Our Values to Build the Ghana We Want”. Mahama used it to urge young people to reject drugs and shortcuts.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, shows faith groups at work in politics. Parliament first passed it in February 2024, but then-President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it and Supreme Court cases followed.
Some petitioners argued that parts of the bill breach rights to free speech, association and equality. Parliament passed a revised version on 29 May 2026, adding exemptions for lawyers, journalists and health professionals.
Speaker Alban Bagbin then urged reconsideration, citing standing orders and three sentencing clauses. Mahama said on 1 June 2026 that the bill was still far from becoming law, citing questions over quorum and procedure.
In June 2026 the Catholic bishops asked for the bill to be signed. The Pentecostal and Charismatic Council called it too weak, and the Christian Council backed the president’s approach.
Parliament adjourned on 31 July 2026 without reconsidering the bill, though Bagbin had told the Chief Imam it would be done. No presidential decision had been reported by 1 August 2026.
The National Cathedral in Accra is another faith project caught in politics. Minister Mahama Ayariga said on 5 October 2026 that the board was dissolved, the site had gone to his ministry and no more public money would be committed.
On 12 September 2026 Mahama said taxpayers’ money should not fund it, calling it a personal pledge by his predecessor. A Christian Council official said on 14 September that the state must keep an interest because public money was already spent.
Church leaders also press the government on illegal gold mining, known as galamsey. In October 2026 the Catholic bishops’ president renewed a call for a state of emergency.
Living Together, and Where It Strains
Catholic bishops and the Chief Imam’s office hold an annual dialogue. The fourth took place on 5 August 2026 at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra, on indiscipline in schools.
The National Peace Council said on 14 August 2026 that two people had been arrested over separate videos about Prophet Mohammed, one a pastor and one an imam. It urged restraint and asked the public not to treat the two cases as one.
On 20 August 2026 Mahama told the Assemblies of God council that “religious conviction must never become religious provocation”. He referred to recent events involving a pastor and an imam, including comments and reported assaults.
Some Ghanaians have voiced fears of an “Islamisation” agenda, pointing to a proposed optional Arabic language and plans for interest-free banking. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, an aspiring national vice chairman of the New Patriotic Party, rejected the claim on 25 August 2026.
He argued that Muslims did not vote overwhelmingly for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s Muslim presidential candidate in 2024. The Education Ministry said on 2 August 2026 that French, Arabic and Chinese would not be compulsory.
The Bank of Ghana inaugurated a Non-Interest Financial Advisory Council on 18 August 2026. Governor Dr Johnson Asiama said on 1 September that the bank is not a regulator of religion and that Christian concerns needed open dialogue.
Holidays, Prayer and Daily Life
The Interior Minister announced Eid al-Fitr holidays for Friday 20 March and Monday 23 March 2026. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said the second day fulfilled a campaign promise made to Muslims by the National Democratic Congress, the ruling party.
Eid al-Adha was a statutory public holiday on Wednesday 27 May 2026. The government also marks the National Day of Prayer on 1 July.
Prayer is part of public life in Ghana. The Greater Accra NDC sought the Chief Imam’s prayers before internal elections in May 2026, and traditional councils set noise rules for churches and mosques alike.
What It Means for US Readers
Investors: The Bank of Ghana issued a non-interest banking guideline in January 2026 and requires a licence, and says it will complement conventional banks. The unsigned family values bill remains a political risk to watch because its final text may still change.
Travellers: Expect public holidays on Eid dates that the government declares each year. In 2026 Accra also had a month of noise limits before Homowo, from 4 May to 4 June, covering church services and roadside preaching.
Expats: Greater Accra is 84.4% Christian, while Kumasi and the north have large Muslim communities. Mahama’s call of 20 August 2026 for restraint signals that insults to any faith can bring arrest or public anger.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether Mahama will sign the family values bill, because Parliament had not reconsidered it by 31 July 2026. We found no later official step.
The cause of the Larteh disturbance of 3 October 2026 and the outcome of the two August 2026 arrests over videos were not public in the sources we found. The future of the National Cathedral also remains open, because the Attorney-General is still reviewing the forensic audit.
The 2021 census is the latest official count of religion, and it does not split Christian groups by denomination beyond four headings. No official data show how many Ghanaians mix Christian or Muslim practice with traditional rites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main religion in Ghana?
Christianity is the main religion, with 71.3% of people in the 2021 census. Muslims were 19.9% and followers of traditional religion 3.2%.
How many Muslims live in Ghana?
The 2021 census counted 6,108,530 Muslims, or 19.9% of the population. They are concentrated in the north, where 66.5% of people in the Northern Region were Muslim.
Which Christian group is the largest in Ghana?
Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, at 31.6% of the population in 2021. Protestants were 17.4% and Catholics 10.0%.
Is traditional religion still practised in Ghana?
About 999,319 people, or 3.2%, followed it in the 2021 census. Festivals such as Homowo and Odwira continue, and Accra bans noisemaking for a month before Homowo.
Who are Ghana’s main religious leaders in 2026?
Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu is National Chief Imam, and Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi leads the Catholic bishops. The Reverend Enoch Thompson chairs the Christian Council and Apostle Eric Nyamekye chairs the Church of Pentecost.
Is the anti-LGBTQ bill law in Ghana?
Not as of 1 August 2026. Parliament passed a revised bill on 29 May 2026, but it adjourned on 31 July without reconsidering it, and no presidential assent had been reported.
Sources: Ghana Statistical Service, 2021 Population and Housing Census, General Report Volume 3C, Background Characteristics (https://census2021.statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/reportthemelist/2021%20PHC%20General%20Report%20Vol%203C_Background%20Characteristics_181121.pdf). Citi Newsroom (citinewsroom.com) reports of 2025 and 2026, including: https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/05/rev-enoch-thompson-elected-chairman-of-christian-council-of-ghana/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/10/galamsey-crisis-worsening-declare-state-of-emergency-catholic-bishops-to-govt/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/10/archbishop-kwofie-calls-for-stronger-fight-against-environmental-injustice/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/rev-stephen-wengam-re-elected-general-superintendent-of-assemblies-of-god-ghana/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/07/from-passage-to-limbo-the-uncertain-future-of-ghanas-anti-lgbtq-bill/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/parliament-adjourns-without-reconsidering-anti-lgbtq-bill/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/06/anti-lgbtq-bill-still-far-from-becoming-law-mahama/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/07/anti-lgbtq-bill-to-be-passed-before-july-31-recess-bagbin-assures-chief-imam/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/christians-can-fund-national-cathedral-mahama/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/national-cathedral-state-must-maintain-interest-in-project-christian-council/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/national-cathedral-board-ordered-to-hand-over-project-site-by-october-31/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/10/national-cathedral-site-handed-to-govt-as-ag-reviews-forensic-audit-ayariga/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/dont-let-religious-tensions-undermine-ghanas-peaceful-coexistence-mahama/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/npc-warns-against-religious-tension-after-two-arrests-over-prophet-mohammed-videos/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/weak-parenting-fuelling-indiscipline-in-ghanaian-schools-catholic-bishops-chief-imam/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/no-evidence-of-islamisation-agenda-in-ghana-mustapha-hamid/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/french-arabic-chinese-not-compulsory-under-basic-school-language-policy-education-ministry/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/non-interest-banking-will-complement-conventional-banking-bog-governor/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/08/nifac-inaugurated-to-support-growth-of-non-interest-finance-in-ghana/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/03/eid-al-fitr-holidays-set-for-march-20-and-march-23-interior-minister/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/05/eid-ul-adha-govt-declares-may-27-public-holiday/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2025/04/mahama-declares-july-1-as-national-day-of-prayer-and-thanksgiving/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/07/embrace-integrity-reject-drugs-and-shortcuts-mahama-to-ghanaian-youth/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/03/homowo-ga-traditional-council-bans-noisemaking-from-may-4-to-june-4/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/04/no-drumming-noise-making-roadside-preaching-from-may-4-ama-warns/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/02/okuapehene-announces-200th-anniversary-of-akuapem-odwira-festival/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/10/calm-restored-at-larteh-after-odwira-festival-disturbances/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2025/09/parliaments-human-rights-committee-visits-witches-camps-in-northern-region/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/09/govt-to-take-over-anti-witchcraft-bill-over-financial-implications-gender-minister/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2025/07/clergy-must-work-in-harmony-with-the-president-cardinal-turkson/; https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/04/the-church-has-duty-to-speak-on-national-issues-dont-try-to-silence-it-juliana-odame-writes/. All accessed 17 October 2026.
