The Akan community of the Southern Ghana is very traditional in nature. For
several years, the lifestyle, thinking pattern, worldview, and cultural practices of the
people has not changed much in spite of formal education and western influence.
Although a lot has changed over the years as viewed from the periphery, the typical
Akan knows that people still maintain their traditions and observe their customs.
This research is something we have longed to do over the years. In the
culture in which we grew up it was common that some Christians consulted one
traditional healer, witch doctor, diviner, etc. during difficult times such as sickness,
calamities, etc. It is also out of observation during my pastoral year experience in
Ghana in 2008,2009. In our pastoral work, we visited the sick people at their homes,
gave them Holy Communion and shared the word of God with them. My
observation during that period was that some would visit one traditional healer or the
other from time to time. As an African Christian, we would like to research in this
area so as to understand this phenomenon to equip me in my future ministiy as a
priest.