The Russian Orthodox Church has expanded its presence in Africa, establishing the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa in December 2021, which includes Ghana under the North African Diocese of the Exarchate. By 2023, the church reported over 200 parishes across 25 African countries. This development has generated debate about the motive behind the church's expansion in Africa, particularly in Ghana. Analysts argue that Russia's engagement with Africa goes beyond conventional diplomacy, encompassing economic, military, humanitarian, cultural, media, and religious activities.
The expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ghana has raised questions about the relationship between religious institutions and foreign influence. Scholars argue that the church's activities in Africa cannot be separated from Russia's geopolitical interests. The Orthodox Church has been identified as one of the instruments Moscow uses to project its influence abroad. Religious diplomacy, alongside education and cultural engagement, is part of Russia's broader soft-power strategy towards Africa.
The concept of religious soft power, derived from Joseph Nye's theory of soft power, suggests that desired outcomes can be gained by states through values, culture, and relationships, rather than material inducement or coercion. Religious institutions and actors possess moral authority, networks, identities, and transnational relationships, making them potential channels of international influence. This framework posits that the influence may not be directly political and does not equate religious activities with political interference.
The expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ghana must be understood within the context of Ghana's church history, characterized by religio-cultural colonialism, European imperialism, and African nationalism. The missionary enterprise in the Gold Coast operated within the context of a complex relationship with European political and colonial interests. This historical context provides an important framework for examining the contemporary Russian Orthodoxy in Ghana.
The expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church occurred after a major ecclesiastical dispute between Moscow and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, regarding the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Scholars argue that the expansion in Africa can be perceived through two main lenses: ecclesiastical and geopolitical. The church's activities in Africa may contribute to Russian influence among African elites through spiritual guidance, humanitarian assistance, and education.
The importance of diplomacy lies in the fact that religious institutions and actors can create networks of education, humanitarian activities, cultural exchange, and interpersonal relationships that complement formal diplomatic relations. The expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church may provide Moscow with an additional channel of religious or faith-based diplomacy in Ghana. However, the existence of an Orthodox institution does not establish that Ghanaian foreign-policy decisions are being influenced by Moscow.
Instead, the church's presence creates a potential channel through which religious, cultural, and diplomatic relations can operate. As the church's influence in Ghana continues to grow, it remains to be seen to what extent it will shape the country's socio-economic and diplomatic environment. The debate surrounding the Russian Orthodox Church's expansion in Ghana highlights the complex relationship between religion, geopolitics, and foreign influence.
Key points
- The Russian Orthodox Church has established over 200 parishes across 25 African countries, including Ghana, as part of its expansion in Africa.
- The church's activities in Africa are seen as part of Russia's broader soft-power strategy, which includes economic, military, humanitarian, cultural, media, and religious activities.
- The expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ghana raises questions about the relationship between religious institutions and foreign influence, and its potential impact on Ghana's socio-economic and diplomatic environment.
