NAME: ZAKARIAH ARHIN

STUDENT NUMBER: 225206151

ASSIGNMENT: RESEARCH PROPOSAL

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND LABOR AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SOCIETY AS
A WHOLE: GHANA AS A CASE STUDY

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background information
Religion and labor have been part and parcel of our lives throughout history. When we talk
about religion then the main notion that comes to mind is the creator of creation and from
this we also gain our faith. Thus, people with faith believe in the creator and strive to do
what the creator demands from them. Now, there are diverse types of religious beliefs
emanating from religious doctrines from different religious groups and it is based on this
teaching that shapes our faith and influence our daily lives. Labor on the other hand is
related to how we get our daily needs which has been the foundation of modern economic
systems. There have been several discussions about the best type of economic systems and
several views on how they can function properly by scholars but very few of these systems
have been accepted as the best choices but it does not also negate the fact that other
theories can be dismissed without further look into them. When we take a closer look into
history, men are the backbone of the economy but the matter is, in what way? Through
ages there have been scholars who believe that men work merely in order to survive and it
is this spirit that keeps man from working continuously. Nevertheless, there are other few
who connect work with religious indoctrinations and figure out the relationship between
them. Popular among there is Max Weber who brought these two concepts (religion and
labor) together and expounded on the impact of religion on the development of capitalism.
Throughout this study, references will be made from Max Weber to his book ‘the protestant
ethic and the spirit of capitalism’ which has had an enduring impact on the field of economic

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history and references to Karl Marx to his work ‘Living Labor and Self-Generative Value’
where he establishes the non-alienation of the worker and his work.
It is of no doubt that that many countries are prospering especially most of the part of the
European countries with the employment of various economic systems like capitalism and
socialism. Despite this, the third world countries are suffering from lack of economic
development especially in the African countries. From this, there has been number of social
vices like armed robbery and other societal problems and economic problems such as
inequality, poverty, and unemployment in these African communities. In the case of Ghana,
the act of mob activities is on the rise and poverty is widespread throughout the societies.
According statista ‘In 2019 the level of crime in the country registered a peak of nearly 52
points’. Also by, statista ‘In 2023 around 2.99 million people in Ghana lived in extreme
poverty, the majority in rural areas.it is thus necessary to look at all the angles which may
have resulted to this predicament state of the African countries, which in this case Ghana,
and try to find solution to it. Ghana is a country which is built on religion that comprises of
Christians, Muslims and Traditionalist and it will be quite incomplete when we are talking
about these aforementioned situations without considering the relationship between the
religious indoctrinations which the country is built on and labor. It is therefore palpable that,
religion which is highly rooted in Ghana can exist without any effect on labor, which is either
contributing to the countries workforce, be it positive or the opposite. This study, therefore,
aim to dig into the relationship between religion and labor and its implications on the
society as a whole. African countries are victims of social vices and poor economic
circumstances and what all these countries have in common is their great inclination onto
religion.
1.2 Objectives of the study
Unequivocally, many scholars have attempted to discuss about the effect of religion on
especially poverty. However, on the case of Ghana, which is the country this study focuses
on, these articles are very few and most of them are narrow and limited in scope. They did
not consider the wider effect of religion on labor and how this may lead to variables like
poverty, unemployment, mob activities and inequality. By narrowing the research one
cannot be expecting a different result. Therefore, this study attempts to add to the existing
literature, but in an extensive manner and different spectrum. Initially the study will look at
the history of capitalism and how it was developed. Also the study will gauge out the
indoctrination of religion and it potential effect on the people of Ghana stemming from
labor.
1.3 Research questions
In this study, four fundamental research questions are raised: First what are the peoples
(from elders with much insight in history to the young generation) thought on work in
relation with religion? What is meant by quality of life of an individual? Have their
(Ghanaian masses) beliefs impacted positively on their lives in the field of work? Can Ghana
adopt the study of Max Weber in relation to religion and labor to reduce the
unemployment, poverty, armed robbery and inequalities in the society?

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 1.4 Methodology
Case study approach in research will be employed to carry out this research because of the
fact that certain individuals will have to be interviewed. Both the rich and the poor, the
unemployed, ‘sakawa’ perpetrators, elders and mob victims will be interviewed to obtain
firsthand information. The study will be conducted mostly in rural areas and few in the
urban areas in the country, and other African countries. The tools to be used to collect the
primary data are interviews, questionnaire, and survey from local residents. All the
secondary data will be collected from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. The population for
this research is Ghana and some neighboring countries African countries who are engulfed
and rooted in religion.
1.5 Outline and Chapters
Chapter one of the research will deal with the Introduction or Background of study. The
following will be dealt with under the background of the study: - Statement of the problem
– Research objectives (General and Specific objectives) - Research Questions - Delimitation
and Limitations of the study. - Significant of the study and - The organization of the study.
Chapter Two will undertake Review of related literature areas such as below will be
considered: - Conceptual Review of Literature - Empirical Literature Review - Theoretical
Review. Chapter Three Will reveal the Methodology that will be employed in the research
which will cover the following areas – Research design -Data Analysis -Data Collection -
Ethical Consideration -Sampling and sampling techniques -Sampling size and sampling
distribution. Chapter Four will analyze data and interpret findings and results in the data.
Chapter Five will discuss the results in the research, conclude the research and recommend
solutions to the research problem.