Pentecostalism and the spirit of entrepreneurship in Ghana: the case of Maame Sarah prayer camp in Ghana
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JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN STUDIES
Abstract
This paper examines the role that Pentecostalism plays in
stimulating entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in Ghana. The
study adopts an ethnographic approach, and focuses on the Goka
Prayer Camp of the Church of Pentecost in the Jaman North
District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. It is grounded in
Weber’s theory of religion as a catalyst for the development of
capitalist societies and focuses of religious doctrines, leadership,
and institutional networks. Key findings indicate that there
is
a nexus between Pentecostalism and entrepreneurship
development in Ghana. The study showed that Pentecostalism
encourages self-determination, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship
initiatives among believers due to its prosperity doctrine which
states that because believers share in the victory of Jesus Christ
over sin, poverty and suffering, they are destined to prosper once
they have embraced the faith, maintained strict moral discipline
and paid tithe. In addition, Pentecostalism is seen to provide
spiritual backing for entrepreneurship by freeing people from
ancient superstitious beliefs, and fears that they will be accused of
witchcraft, victimised, or die once they become successful.
Moreover, the explicit engagement of Pentecostal leaders in the
pursuit of material wellbeing sets the pace for members to follow.
However, in spite of the role of this strand of Christianity in
motivating individuals to engage in entrepreneurial activities, we
found that they provide weak networks and institutional support,
apart from those in the spiritual domain, to facilitate
entrepreneurship development among members. It is rather
members of the top hierarchy that appear to benefit from these
social networks
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Citation
Agyeman, E. A., & Carsamer, E. (2018). Pentecostalism and the spirit of entrepreneurship in Ghana: the case of Maame Sarah prayer camp in Ghana. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 36(3), 303-318.
