After 33 years, the third National Church survey will be conducted this year to systematically examine the demographic, socio-economic, and cultural context that contribute to the growth or decline of churches in the country.
The two-month exercise, which would start on Monday, April 13 and end on June 13, 2026, would be held by the Ghana Evangelism Committee (GEC) in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The first NCS was held in 1989, while the last one was held in 1993.
The expected outcome of this year’s survey includes examining the contemporary state of the church in the country, analysing the challenges faced by the churches today, exploring the prospects for the churches in the future and assessing the health and well-being of the new churches.
Focus
The survey would focus on understanding the demographic trend of churches, evaluating socio-economic factors, attempting technological changes, assessing cultural dynamics and informing strategic planning.
The Vice-Chairman of the GEC and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, who launched the NCS, reminded the field workers that they were going out as missionaries.
“I pray that God would bless everyone who puts his hand to this task because this is your kingdom business.
This is to the glory of God,” he said.
Earlier, he said he was looking forward to a successful church survey that would help it to grow and move forward in a strategic manner.
Recognition
Rt Rev. Dr Kwakye said the GEC recognised that it was the Lord who built His church and that no church could grow with Him.
He said it was the spirit of God that had guided the church since the introduction of the church in the country in the 15th Century.
He said, “We recognise that we also have to be strategic about growth,” he said.
Changes
The GEC National Director, Apostle Bright Nyamedor, said since 1993, numerous changes, such as population growth and the establishment of new churches, had taken place.
The research, he said, would not only bring academic resources but would also offer practical insights to encourage the effectiveness and relevance of churches in the country’s rapidly changing socio-cultural landscape.
He encouraged the enumerators to show diligence and integrity in their assigned roles, advising that: “As we embark on this journey, I want to encourage our fellow data collectors and our professors – whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as we work here for the Lord.”
Shape
Apostle Nyamedor said the 1989 and the 9193 surveys shaped the future of the church in the country.
He said since the last survey, the churches had increased and the dynamics within them had changed and “it is in the light of this development that this new survey becomes not just relevant but fairly essential”.
Exercise
The NCS Project Coordinator, Very Rev.Vincent Adzika Agbemenya, in a presentation on the exercise, said out of the 140 enumerators undergoing training, about 94 would be selected for the exercise.
He said the exercise will cover 1800 churches, 9,000 households within 600 enumeration areas from the 16 regions.
He explained that the survey would focus on thematic areas, including community perceptions of the church, as well as church activities and outreach.
The NCS Technical Advisor, Dr Owusu Kagya, charged the data collectors to support one another throughout the exercise.
He said when statistics were done well, they told a truthful story.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh