ABSTRACT
Introduction This chapter is principally concerned with analysing a book authored by a Ghanaian author, using this as a way of investigating how Ghanaian intellectuals and authors use European conceptual and semantic systems to depict Africans and themselves. I have chosen Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia: A Biblical Revelation on God’s Purpose for the Black Race, by Mensah Otabil,1 for two reasons. My first reason, which is simple, is the striking presence of the terms ‘Ethiopia’ and ‘black’ as key terms in the title of the book. This presupposes that the main subject matter of the book revolves around those two key terms, which are equally central to my book. My second reason is the prominence of Mensa Otabil, not only in Ghana, but also in Africa and beyond. Otabil is the founder of the International Central Gospel Church founded in 1984 in Accra, Ghana. He is deemed to be one of the most influential present-day Ghanaian pastors, and according to his book now under discussion (110):
He functions as a pastor’s pastor to many men and women in Christian ministry who continue to draw on his wisdom and maturity in the things of God. He also ministers in conferences and seminars in several countries where his down-to-earth rendering of profound truths have [sic] impacted many lives. Pastor Otabil holds two honorary doctorate degrees in humanities and Divinity.
