Religious orientation and poverty in Ghana: associations and explanations
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Ababio, Abraham Gyamfi; Osei-Fosu, Anthony; Buabeng, Emmanuel
- Source
- Journal of Social and Economic Development; December 2021, Vol. 23 Issue: 2 p377-396, 20p
- Subject
- Language
- ISSN
- 09725792; 21996873
The relationship between religious orientation and poverty has not been given adequate attention in the literature. The major objective of this study was to determine the effect of religious orientation on poverty status. We collected data from a representative sample of household heads in Ghana through a multi-stage random sampling. The data was analyzed using logistic and probit models. Instrumental variable estimation and structural equation modeling were used to address reverse causality and assess mediated effect, respectively. The study found that intrinsic religious orientation has a negative effect on poverty, particularly in urban areas. The study also found that the negative relationship between intrinsic religiosity orientation and poverty is partially mediated by the propensity to save. The basic implication of our finding is that personal religiosity/religious commitment needs to be complemented by church programs that take advantage of the rich and diversified religious network that exists in urban areas to facilitate poverty reduction.