Former Trokosi Priests Threaten To Resume Practice

Former Trokosi priests in the Ave area of Akatsi District have threatened to resume the practice unless International Needs, Ghana (ING), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NG0), fulfil promises made to them.

The priests said they released the ''Trokosi'' women on the strength of promises ING made but have not been carried out and accused it of deceit. The Priest of Adzima shrine at Ave-Adzigo and leader of 12 shrines at Ave-Adzigo and Ave-Zomayi, Togbe Adzima told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the NGO has refused to give the other packages agreed upon, apart from 200,000 cedis given each priest. He said ING promised to give extra financial assistance to enable the priests to do farming and other jobs of their choice as compensation.

He said some shrines in Ada and Adidome were each given five cattle and over three million cedis and asked '' why are some of us being given a raw deal, having been deceived, we are angry and will resume the practice in full swing soon''. Togbe Awudi said he is echoing the sentiments of other priests in 90 shrines in the Ave area, and said ING is acting in bad faith. The GNA was at the shrine to check on rumours that some individuals were registering their personal "voodoo" shrines as Trokosi shrines.

The rumours had it that these voodoo shrine owners have listed their wives and daughters as members of the shrine with the intention of benefiting from the ING package. Togbe Awudi said no fake shrine can infiltrate their ranks as all the known Trokosi shrines existed for ages and are well known. When referred to the law banning the practice in the country, Togbe Awudi said they are aware but that does not mean they should be taken for granted.

An ING Project Officer, Miss Pat Vormawor said ING agreed on the 200,000 cedis package but denied there were other packages such as financial help for farming.