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. 2021 Aug;60(4):2232-2249.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-021-01285-8. Epub 2021 May 20.

The Impact of COVID-19 and Religious Restrictions on the Well-Being of Ghanaian Christians: The Perspectives of Religious Leaders

Annabella Osei-Tutu  1   2 , Adjeiwa Akosua Affram  3 , Christopher Mensah-Sarbah  3 , Vivian A Dzokoto  4 , Glenn Adams  5
Affiliations

The Impact of COVID-19 and Religious Restrictions on the Well-Being of Ghanaian Christians: The Perspectives of Religious Leaders

Annabella Osei-Tutu et al. J Relig Health. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ghana government instituted a ban on social gatherings, including religious gatherings. To understand how the unanticipated restrictions and interruption in normal church routines affected the well-being of congregants in Ghana, we interviewed 14 religious leaders. Thematic analysis revealed psychospiritual impacts including decline in spiritual life, loss of fellowship and community, financial difficulties, challenges with childcare, as well as fear of infection. Religious leaders intervened by delivering sermons on hope, faith, and repentance. Some religious leaders sensitized their members on health hygiene and COVID-19-related stigma. The study sheds light on the perceived impacts of COVID-19 and restrictions of religious gatherings on congregants in Ghana.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Religious gatherings; Religious restrictions; Well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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