Do you believe that Kweku Bonsam, the spiritualist, played a role in the 0-0 result of Ghana’s second Group game with England in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup? Susu contribution tracking
Do you believe that it was the curse he claimed to have placed on England’s captain, Harry Kane, that prevented the latter from scoring?
So why did he not use his powers to push Ghana through to the final?
To this question, he has an answer.
Not only did he not help the Black Stars; he actually worked against Ghana.
He told a TikTok Live interviewer on July 9 that he “spiritually tied the Black Stars” because, according to him, Ghanaian football officials failed to acknowledge his contribution.
When it comes to religion and human beliefs, my observation is that in public ‒ among friends and relatives ‒ the average Ghanaian Christian is loud on Christ but is silent on visits to juju shrines.
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How often, in serious illnesses, tragedies and unexplained fiascos, did our mothers and aunties not rush (and still rush) secretly to the jujuman ‒ while not missing church on Sunday!
So what is it about Kweku Bonsam’s claims?Africans & Diaspora
Years ago, when I first saw him at the Ministry of Culture, he was coming out of his vehicle.
On it was written “Powers”. Other people sneered. I didn’t.
As a Christian, I believe he, like the many other priests we call jujumen, has powers.
What and whom is the bible referring to when it states in Ephesians chapter 6, verse 12 that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”?
Hundreds of years ago, during the Fantes’ migration, an epidemic broke out. People were dying in droves after drinking water from the stream.
Weeks later, when the deaths continued, they consulted the okomfo, who, after divination, picked a leaf from the forest and dropped it in the stream.
The deaths ceased.
In my years as a Christian, I have learned a lot from verse 9 of the Book of Jude.
It counsels Christians not to behave like the false teachers who heap abuse on celestial beings, and points out that “Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you’!”
Of course, the bible encourages Christians not to live in dread of satanic forces because God has placed “all things” under the feet of Jesus.
Juju in football
Talk about juju in football. The belief has been, and is, strong.
Ghanaian sportswriters will tell you how, in the 1980s, Hearts of Oak lost the African Cup of Champions Clubs tournament because a jujuman in Ghana warned that any player who scored a goal against their opponents in the final “away match” would die.
In the match, Hearts needed one goal to snatch victory.
A penalty was awarded in favour of Hearts and Anas Seidu was elected to take it.
With the jujuman’s warning on his mind, he deliberately kicked the ball away from the opponent’s post.
As the pioneer board secretary of Ashgold FC, I was aware of supporters’ insistence on “ways and means”.
They got so persistent that Sam Jonah, Managing Director of AGC and Board Chairman of the club, once told them: “If jujumen can influence the outcome of matches, why don’t we rather go for eleven jujumen to play for us?”
Impossible
It’s almost impossible to convince Ghanaian soccer fans that God does not play football.
When Ghana drew with England in our second Group game, someone wrote on social media: “God helped Ghana”.Susu contribution tracking
My question is, and has always been, “What has Ghana done particularly so well that God would favour us, and not our opponents?”
Scientific
Football has turned scientific. Remember Coach Arday (“Multi System”), Cecil Jones Attuquaye and their exploits. See what one coach did to the fortunes of the Black Stars at the 2026 World Cup?
The man has spent his entire life learning the science of winning matches.
Why would he not succeed? When he comes up against an opposing coach with superior skills, he will succumb to a loss.
So why don’t we put our money on world-class coaches instead?
There is a reason Kudus and Semenyo score goals with ease.
All Ghanaian footballers are talented, but these two, like Michael Essien, Abedi Pele, etc., have pushed beyond talent; they have acquired skills. Juju didn’t make them skilful.
At any rate, why, in spite of so many powerful juju shrines and jujumen, has Ghana never won the World Cup?
I ask myself: why does our spirituality – almost proverbial – not lead us into space exploration?
Well, let me come down to earth: why don’t we start from the ability to grow tomatoes and onions!!!
The writer is the Executive Director, Centre for Communication and Culture.
