Religion and the state in an episodic moment of COVID-19 in Ghana

The goal of this paper is to discuss the role religions are playing to stem the tide against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ghana. Focusing on the ubiquity of religions in Ghana, the paper argues that religious experts deploy their ability to invoke the transcendental being to compel adherents to comply with the lockdown rules, as well as follow precautionary measures to fight the virus in Ghana. The paper also maintains that the state has, in the face of the current crisis, passed a law that could be inimical to the future of religious freedom in the country. Methodologically, I draw on critical reflections on electronic and social media reports about religion and humanitarian services in Ghana to argue that religions are bridging the mundane and spiritual gaps to aid the state, while the state is also creatively engaging religions to invest in prayers and also pass laws that are potentially inimical to the future of religious freedom.