Abstract
This research contributes new knowledge by exploring a Neo-Pentecostalist notion of poverty and its relationship with the prosperity gospel in a Ghanaian Neo-Prophetic church. It categorises Neo-Prophetism as the most recent form of Pentecostalism in Ghana, which has specific theological emphases on the concepts of yiedie (prosperity), atamfo (enemies), and akwankyere (prophetic guidance). With the tendency of Neo-Prophets seeking to address issues that are most pressing in their local contexts in mind, this research investigates how the prosperity gospel, expressed by Neo-Prophetic adherents influences believers attitudes towards poverty alleviation. Earlier studies argued that, although the prosperity gospel provides motivation in conditions where it is so easy to despair, the pervasive emphasis on miracles militates against the fostering of a new work ethic. Others have viewed the doctrine as an impetus for delusion. Proponents, contrarily, have suggested that the prosperity gospel fosters a modernising work ethic by encouraging entrepreneurship and creating employment. This research is qualitative in nature and is supported by ethnographic methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders and members of a Neo-Prophetic church in Accra on the content of the prosperity gospel and their perceptions of poverty. Participant observations were performed at the research site in order to identify the theological orientation of adherents on the themes of poverty and prosperity. Believers’ attitudes towards situations of poverty were analysed by drawing insights from their testimonies in relation to the theoretical perspectives of Gifford, Togarasei and Dada. Our findings revealed an ambivalent relationship between the praxis of the prosperity gospel and believers attitudes towards poverty alleviation. On the one hand, the prosperity gospel appears to demonstrate elements of optimism, entrepreneurship, self-reliance and self-supporting attitudes among believers. On the other hand, religious rites espoused by preachers of the doctrine seem to be embedded with the exploitation of believers, individualism, and a pervasive emphasis on a “miraculous economy”, which impedes the socio-economic transformation believers themselves seek. This feature of ambivalence, it is argued, suggests that the prosperity gospel does not contribute significantly in engendering poverty alleviation among believers. Overall, this research identifies beliefs and practices under Neo-Pentecostal religion that bring to the foreground the relevance of religion in the development debate. It is, however, argued that the presence, nature, and activities of religious people need to be better understood, so that they can be taken into account in developmental activities.