Occult Rumors and Politics in Ghana

This book addresses the phenomenon of rumors about the occult in contemporary Ghanaian politics. Drawing on data from fieldwork interviews and analysis of case studies, it examines: why political rumors in Ghana often focus on the occult; what political-occult rumors accomplish and for whom; the ways in which Ghanaian politicians use rumors about the occult to gain political advantage; and some of the popular attitudes of the electorate to the rumors. The book demonstrates that political-occult rumors have become important tools in the hands of Ghanaian politicians to gain political advantage over opponents, and the electorate as means to critique the actions and behavior of political actors and the political process, generally. In a nutshell, this book highlights the important role of occult rumors in modern Ghanaian politics, with a particular focus on the period between the late 1970s and present. The main thrust of the argument in this book is that the flourishing of political-occult rumors and the strength of Pentecostalism are related, and that far from being a phenomenon existing on the margins of modern Ghanaian society, the occult is powerful, public and mainstream.

"Comfort Max-Wirth’s Occult Rumors and Politics in Ghana: Juju and Statecraft is an original and thrilling tale of the history and complexity of religion and politics in Africa. Max-Wirth uncovers the deep connections between religious occult rumors and civil life in Ghana. This brilliantly written and meticulously researched book establishes Max-Wirth as an important voice in African Studies, Political Science, and Religious Studies. This book sheds light on how indigenous religions shape the politics and weave the social fabric of Ghana and Africa more broadly. I see Occult Rumors and Politics in Ghana becoming an important recourse for students, educators and the general public who are interested in the role of religion and politics. Max-Wirth beautifully engages the secular and sacred in the African context to produce this groundbreaking research on occult rumors in Ghana. By map** out the moral framework of the occult in Ghana, Max-Wirth reveals the possibilities and limits of faith-based politics in Africa. This work is not only thought provoking but also transformative in the way that it treats religion, ethics, and politics in a nuanced and well-balanced scholarly method. Max-Wirth employs an interdisciplinary approach to capture the depths and breadth of the role of the occult and how it informs religious beliefs and political leanings. Ultimately, this manuscript speaks to the enduring influence and relevance of indigenous religions and rituals in modern day African democracies. I highly recommend Occult Rumors and Politics in Ghana and anticipate it becoming canon in African Religious Studies."  (Jacob K. Olupona, Harvard University)

Comfort Max-Wirth is a lecturer in the Department for the Study of Religions at the University of Ghana, Legon.