“Questions for the gods to answer.”
Funny enough, this was what came to mind after asking myself the following questions:

• “Do I have to convert to Islam before I can integrate with the people of Dehia?”

• “Should I take along a buta and hijab?”

• “Will the community be neat, or filled with scattered animal droppings?”

• “Is there even a church there? Will I be allowed to enter the mosque as a Christian?”

• “Will the town be peaceful, or full of religious tension?”

I was anxious and uncertain when I learned I was being deployed to Dehia, a Muslim-dominated community in the Central Region. The stories I had heard from others about living in Muslim communities made me fearful.

Throughout the journey from Sunyani to Cape Coast on 29th September 2025, I was filled with mixed emotions about how I would cope in an environment so different from what I was used to. I arrived in Dehia around 8:30 p.m., and to my surprise, my anxiety began to fade the moment I arrived.

Six elderly men warmly welcomed me, helping to unpack my luggage, set up my mosquito net, and ensure I felt comfortable. Their kindness immediately gave me a sense of belonging.

Later that evening, I had a conversation with my host father, whom I assumed was Muslim. To my amazement, when I mentioned that I was Pentecostal, he smiled and said, “Ah! W’ahyɛ da anaa? I’m also a Pentecostal.” I felt a great sense of relief knowing that I had found a home away from home. I later discovered that while Dehia is predominantly Muslim, a small fraction of the community are Christians, with the Church of Pentecost being the only Christian denomination present.

The following day, I took a stroll through the town. Contrary to my earlier assumptions, I found Dehia to be very clean — no scattered animal droppings as I had imagined. The residents kept their animals in pens, and the environment was tidy and calm.

That afternoon, I attended a community meeting where people deliberated on how to share 11 bags of fertilizer received from the Member of Parliament. The discussions were participatory, and everyone had the opportunity to share their views. Some suggested distributing the fertilizer bit by bit, while others proposed selling all of it and using the proceeds to support the ongoing community center project. In the end, they reached a peaceful consensus to sell the fertilizer.

That meeting changed my perception completely. Despite religious differences, I witnessed strong unity, mutual respect, and cooperation among the people of Dehia.

Over the past month, the calmness of the community and the warm reception I have received have made me feel truly at home. Both the church and the mosque have welcomed me wholeheartedly whenever I visit. The people relate to me freely, and I have learned that faith does not divide them; instead, it strengthens their sense of community.

My experience in Dehia has taught me that cultural and religious diversity need not be a source of fear, but rather an opportunity for learning, respect, and growth. What began as anxiety has now transformed into appreciation and a genuine love for the people.