Ghana is at a crossroads. Areas in the north of the country are strongly Muslim whereas the south of the country is predominately Christian. New, cement-built mosques are rising up among grass huts of villages. Money from countries such as Libya and Saudi Arabia are helping every village to have its own mosque. Islam originated in the north through merchants from the adjacent Western Sudan, and through immigrants from Hausaland.

There is also a religious divide between the more Christian South and the largely Muslim North (although most tribes are still influenced by animist beliefs). Happily there are some communities of believers in the North, however, Islamic countries have invested a great deal of money to bring Islam to the various ethnic groups. This is Ghana.

Countries around the world with Muslim populations of at least 10% or with more than 1 million. Countries with a * have a Muslim majority or at least 50% Muslim.

The Soninke comprise only 2 million of West Africa's 100 million Muslims, yet they have played a surprisingly influential role in the region's history. In particular, the entrance of Islam into the region properly begins with them. Today, Islam as practised by the Soninke is broadly similar to that of other West African ethnic groups. There is a strong reliance on jujus - amulets often consisting of Qur'anic verses.