The Fante Family Bonds, Mutual Obligations and the Promotion of Christian-Muslim Relations in Ghana

Using information derived from field research instruments such as focus group interviews of Christian-Muslim family members (kins) and observation from eight towns in the Central Region, the paper argues that despite the enormous impact of both Christianity and Islam on the Fante people today, their customary family practices are critical in the promotion of Christian-Muslim relations in Ghana. The focus group interviews of family members were designed to require information on the beliefs and attitudes, behaviours, and characteristics of family Christians and Muslims as they relate with their kins who belong to other religions. The nuclear family which results from the traditional marriage always lays the foundation of and operates within the context of an extended family, either horizontally in terms of families of many brothers or sisters, or generationally, in terms of grandfather/grandmothers', fathers' and mothers', a man and his family, and his children's families (Arthur, 2001:82). [...]the basic family is the extended family which may comprise grandparents, blood relatives, inlaws, constituting a dynamic unity, or togetherness, with parents and children, according to prevalent mores (Pobee, 1979:49). Desmond Ayim-Aboagye, in his work: "Akan Language and its Relationship to Ancient Biblical Writings", points out evidence of this Akan (Fante) linkage with Abraham as seen in their languages, the names and proverbs, and in general cultural traits (Ayim-Aboagye 2022, 34). [...]a Fante family (ebusua) is a basic social group whose members are believed to have descended through one line from a common ancestor or ancestress.