The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, says a committee has been established to create a comprehensive database on shrines and other religious sites across the country.
According to him, the move is aimed at determining the number of shrines in Ghana and developing a clear understanding of what qualifies as a shrine.
Mr Ibrahim disclosed this when he appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Assurances, where he explained that the exercise will be undertaken by a multi-sectoral working group made up of officers from the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Directorate, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Research, Statistics, and Information Management units.
He said the committee will also receive support from the various Regional Coordinating Councils.
“Honourable Chair, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has set up a working group comprising officers from Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Research, Statistics and Information Management directorates to create the database on shrines and other religious sites in the country,” he stated.
Mr Ibrahim explained that identifying and counting shrines is not a straightforward exercise because of the different forms they can take.
“This is simply because a shrine is not just one thing. Even as we sit here, if I want to count a shrine, I need to be given the power. When I see you, I’ll remove your shirt and check you and do body check. So clearly it is not simple and straightforward,” he said.
He noted that some individuals in communities may claim to operate shrines, making it necessary for authorities to establish clear guidelines on what constitutes a shrine.
“You go to certain communities, somebody will come there and say he has a shrine and maybe begin to be doing things. No, that is another form of religion, but we are in charge of religion,” he added.
The Minister stressed that the committee will help provide a firm foundation for defining shrines, given their spiritual nature.
“The nature of shrines will have to be agreed on. That is why a committee with expertise has been put in place,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim further noted that shrines can exist in different forms and are not limited to physical structures.
“A shrine can be a pen. It can be a photo, a picture. It can be anything. And these are spiritual issues. The lawyers may disagree with you. So we need to have a very firm foundation as to what a shrine is,” he explained.
