EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND EDUCATION IN GHANA: A STUDY OF FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS

Adam Konadu, Stephen Kyei, Dennis Tawiah, Abraham Ofoe Agbenu, Elias Asante, Evans Frimpong

Abstract


This study examines the complex and evolving relationship between religion and education in Ghana, with particular emphasis on faith-based schools as pivotal institutions in shaping academic achievement, moral formation, and socio-cultural identity. Drawing on qualitative documentary analysis and interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology of education, religious studies, and educational policy, the paper investigates how Christian, Islamic, and Pentecostal educational traditions influence pedagogical practices, institutional culture, and learner outcomes. The findings reveal that faith-based schools remain central to Ghana’s educational development, historically rooted in missionary and Islamic educational systems that laid the foundation for formal schooling in the country. These institutions continue to contribute significantly to discipline, academic performance, and values formation. However, they also face persistent challenges including gender inequality, socio-economic disparities, tensions in church–state relations, and uneven resource distribution. The study further highlights the dual role of faith-based education as both a driver of academic excellence and a site of social reproduction and inequality. It argues that the sustainability of faith-based education in Ghana depends on balanced policy frameworks that respect religious identity while ensuring inclusivity and equity. By integrating historical, theoretical, and empirical insights, the paper contributes to ongoing scholarly debates on religion and education in Africa and provides policy-relevant recommendations for strengthening educational governance in Ghana.

Keywords


religion and education; faith-based schools; Ghana education system; moral formation; church-state relations; educational equity

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v12i3.2223

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