Conventions, crusades and conferences are a big part of the social and spiritual calender for the many churches in Ghana. Nearly every week there is some form of convention or crusade in Kintampo and the town is regularly festooned with banners advertising 'festivals of prayer', 'miracles crusades' and other revivalist themes. There are conventions for men, women, the youth and students, usually lasting two or three days. Often they have a healing theme. I was invited to join this convention by some friends who are members of the church. Women dressed in their church cloth and headscarves decorated with the church logo began the proceedings with enthusiastic singing and dancing.
The pastors of the church, all men, then lead the women in fervent prayers, urging the women to 'pray hard'. Women are acknowledged by men to be more earnest in their prayers and as they prayed they became more and more transported. The women pray aloud, often repeating over and over 'Jesus, Jesus!' Sometimes they pray in tongues. The pastors move among them also praying and 'laying on hands' with a forceful authority. The women spin and stagger under their touch, eventually falling to the ground to roll in the dust. And what do they pray for? My friend explained why his wife needed to pray so hard - she has only one child, and she prays desperately for another, sinking on her knees to the dust of Kintampo.
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