Trust in Religious Leaders Declines Sharply Among Older and Vulnerable Ghanaians — Prof. Fred Dzanku

Prof. Fred Dzanku has highlighted a concerning decline in trust toward religious leaders in Ghana, particularly among older generations and economically vulnerable populations. He spoke on Citi FM during a discussion on the shifting perceptions of religious authority in the country.

Prof. Dzanku explained that this decline is not driven by urbanisation, social media, secularism, or education, but reflects a broader shift toward analytical and data-driven ways of thinking.

“This trend is happening both in rural and urban areas. What is striking is that the decline is sharper among rural populations and economically stressed Ghanaians,” he said.

According to Prof. Dzanku, this is significant because these groups, the poor, vulnerable, and rural dwellers, have historically relied most heavily on religious leaders for guidance.

“If trust is falling faster among the very groups that tend to depend on religious leaders, it should be telling us something,” he added.

He cited research showing that confidence in Christian religious leaders has dropped considerably over the past decade: from 42 percent in 2014, to 30 percent in 2017, and down to 28 percent today.

Prof. Dzanku emphasized that this trend signals a need for religious institutions to engage more meaningfully with followers and address the underlying causes of disillusionment, particularly among communities that have traditionally been most dependent on spiritual guidance.