Birth Control and the Catholic Church: Implications for Some Selected Churches in the Kumasi Archdiocese, Ghana
Michael Akonnor 
& John Kwaku Opoku
Issue: Vol.11 No. 3 March 2025 Issue Article 2 pp.60-71
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20251132 | Published online 7th March, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study examined the implications of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae on the Catholic faithful in the Kumasi Archdiocese of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of natural family planning methods, such as abstinence and the rhythm method, endorsed by the encyclical, and to explore how these teachings align with the reproductive health goals of Catholic women in the region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using questionnaires and interviews with Catholic Parish Priests, Catechists, Church leaders, and healthcare practitioners. Data were thematically analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of the Catholic community regarding birth control. The findings reveal that many Catholics in the Kumasi Archdiocese lack sufficient knowledge of Humanae Vitae and its promotion of natural birth control methods. This awareness gap has led to varied interpretations and practices, with some Catholics resorting to methods that better suit their personal and family needs. The study concludes that the Catholic Church needs to step up its efforts in educating the faithful on the ethical considerations of birth control, aligning religious teachings with the practical realities of the community. This research contributes to scholarship by highlighting the disconnection between papal teachings and the everyday experiences of Catholic laity, calling for a reassessment of Humanae Vitae to better support the reproductive health and well-being of Catholics globally.
Keywords: Birth Control, Scriptures, Humanae Vitae, Stewardship, Ethical, Contraception.
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Michael Akonnor is a Cambridge Social Sciences educator at Shield International School, a Cambridge-accredited institution in Accra, Ghana. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Education, Winneba, and a Bachelor of Arts in the Study of Religion from KNUST. His research interests include Education, Religion, and Bioethics, with a particular focus on beginning-of-life issues. Email: akonnormichael333@gmail.com
Prof. John Kwaku Opoku is a Catholic Priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Studies – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He has a B.A. in the study of Religion and Sociology (Legon, Ghana), an M.A. in Intercultural Theology (Radboud Universiteit-Nijmegen), a Master of Bioethics (Medical Colleges of Radboud Universiteit-Nijmegen, Catholic University of Leuven-Belgium, the Universities of Basel and Padova -Switzerland and Italy respectively) and a Ph.D. in Theology and Health (Radboud Universiteit-Nijmegen). His areas of specialization are Pastoral Theology, Bioethics, and Religion and Health. Email: kofidei2012@gmail.com
Akonnor, Michael and John Kwaku Opoku. “Birth Control and the Catholic Church: Implications for Some Selected Churches in the Kumasi Archdiocese, Ghana,” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies, 11 no.3 (2025): 60-71. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20251132
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
