Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V speaks up: Adidome Chief denounce ritüal kìllïñgs, call for action

Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V

In a strongly-worded press statement, Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V, Dufiaga (Headchief) of Adidome and other Toh/Tovie settlements in Mafi Traditional Area, has condemned the recent ritual killings in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region. The chiefs have called for swift and severe punishment for perpetrators, as well as a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture in the area to prevent such heinous crimes from recurring.

The full press statement by Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V, Dufiaga (Headchief) of Adidome and other Toh/Tovie settlements in Mafi traditional area and copied to the Media, the Central Tongu District Assembly, The BNI (Adidome), the District Police Commander, Adidome, the Divisional Commander of Police, (Sogakope), the Regional Police Commander (Volta Region), the Regional Minister, and the Minister for National Security.

PRESS STATEMENT BY TOGBE KWASINYI AGYEMAN V, DUFIAGA (HEADCHIEF) OF ADIDOME AND OTHER TOH/TOVIE SETTLEMENTS IN MAFI TRADITIONAL AREA:

READ MORE: An Abridged History of Mafi State by Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V, Zzembe Palace, Fiato, Adidome

MAFI ADIDOME IS A SAFE HAVEN

DISCOVERY OF HUMAN KILLINGS/HUMAN PARTS AT GBLORKOPE AND AƲAKPEDOME IN THE CENTRAL TONGU DISTRICT AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: CONDEMNATION OF THE CRIME

Murder or the killing of any human being for whatever reason or purpose is a horrifying, abhorrent, nauseating and condemnable act.

Since the dawn of years in the history of human existence, the desire to acquire wealth and power is gaining momentum among people in some communities. Nevertheless, the worrisome high quest for quick wealth and power, be it economic, religious, spiritual and political, has led to the practice of using human parts in modern days for money rituals leading to abductions and mysterious disappearance of people in Ghana (Central Tongu is not an exception). Universal Human Rights dictates are regarded as precursors of human dignity, worth and liberty, regardless of their religious orientation. Discussing ritual killing without social rhetoric can be considered prejudicial.

‘RITUAL KILLING’ is a social menace where human beings are offered as object of sacrifice to a deity/god to appease or request for a favour. It involves removal of required body parts of a person or victim for ritual purposes in expectation of good fortune. It has been in existence in antiquity and has become a phenomenon in the entire world. This barbaric act, wherever or whatever form it exists, indicates the breakdown of moral and ethical standards set by collective human institutions. Given the call for efforts that are being amplified by Human Right Activists to respect the Rights of individuals, one would have expected such acrimonious acts to be ebbing, yet not. Whatever the motive is, ritual killing is a serious violation of human rights that has unquestionable implication on a Societal Human Rights’ moral standing. Ritual killing is a crime against humanity and some African countries are grappling with it.

Presently, there has been a flurry of discussions on the media linking Mafi Adidome to the heinous crime of ritual killings. This labeling tarnishes the image of Mafi Adidome; hence, wish to unravel the facts and condemn it.

The menace of ritual killing and removal of human parts have been discovered at GBLORKOPE and AƲAKPEDOME in the Central Tongu District of Volta Region, Ghana.

GBLORKOPE is a small family farm settlement (with population of about thirty settlers), about two kilometers East of Adidome, the District Capital of Central Tongu) on the Adidome- Sogakope road. The settlement was established by one Togbe Gblor, a native of Mafi. His son, Kwasi Gblor (Gblor- Korsi) took over the leadership of the village and introduced a traditional religious practice called KPAKPAKRIDI. Sources disclosed that, the deity, KPAKPAKRIDI, was introduced by GBLOR-KORSI (as he was popularly called) to assist in healing the sick. Gblor Korsi also engaged in divination apart from his herbal and spiritual healing. However, after his death, his son, NOAH GBLOR took over the leadership of the KPAKPAKRIDI DEITY and added another called KORKLU. The KORKLU Deity, according sources, uses human parts for ritual purposes.

READ ALSO: Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V is the legitimate chief of Mafi Adidome –  Manklalo of Mafi Traditional Area

MAFI AƲAKPEDOME

AVAKPEDOME is one of the key towns of Mafi, about two kilometers West of Adidome, the District capital. The town is one of the oldest towns of Mafi people with the population of about 3,000. The settlement has attractive tourist hills, caves and Ʋuxornu forest. Aʋakpe is the only recognised and official war god of the people of Mafi. There are unofficial deities in the town including ATIGELI AND KPAKPAKRIDI SHRINES owned by Hunuor Wisdom Hedidor.

Of late, there have been reports of people missing in Adidome and its surrounding communities. One of such people was a 28 year old man called Nelson Anyina. Reports and intensive investigations of suspected ritual killings have led to the exhumation of bodies by the police at GBLORKOPE and MAFI AƲAKPEDOME. Surprisingly, some parts of the deceased, Nelson Anyina’s body has been found. In total, four bodies have been exhumed / discovered at Gblorkope and two bodies at Avakpedome. The suspects, Noah Gblor and Wisdom Hedidor have been arrested; investigations are still on-going.

I want to place on record that these suspects are not citizens of Adidome as being portrayed in the media.

This barbaric act of ritual killing is a shock to the chiefs, other leaders and residents of Tongu (Adidome inclusive), as this menace is alien to Tongu Communities in the Volta Region of Ghana.

The menace, as already noted, has sparked a flurry of discussions among stakeholders on security issues related to development in Adidome specifically, and Ghana generally. In fact, residents entertain fear of their lives being in danger because of this criminal activity.

By implication, this menace does not only tarnish the image and reputation of Adidome as the District capital of the Central Tongu, Mafi as a Traditional Area, and Tongu in particular but also Volta Region in general.

Again, this menace has put fears, lack of trust and confidence into the residents and others intending to visit or live in the area.

Further, the incident has the potential of scaring investors (both local and foreign) from living and investing in the area. Most especially, Adidome as the District capital will suffer from all forms of development because of the risk of insecurity.

Nevertheless, some of the causes of this menace which include the following should not be overlooked. These are poverty, greed, inordinate ambition, unemployment, loss of moral without paying attention to social implication, poor parenting, loss of societal value system and government insensitivity to the plight of the people.

In truth, the Tongu people including Adidome; (i) highly prize traditional values of earning money by diligence, devotion and honesty. (ii) value virtues of hard work, honesty and dignity of labour (iii) frown on the menace of get-rich -quick syndrome through money rituals.

It is an undeniable fact that evil acts do happen in societies; but when discovered, can be investigated, dealt with and eliminated.

On behalf of leaders of Adidome in particular, Tongu in general, and on my own behalf, we condemn the act of ritual killing in its entirety.

The acrimonious act of RITUAL KILLING is cruelty, ungodly, savage and barbaric.

Togbe Kwasinyi Agyeman V calls for swift action

On the continental level, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights under Article 5 states: Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status. All forms of abuse, degradation and exploitation of man particularly …torture, cruel, inhuman … degrading treatment shall be punished.

I therefore, recommend the following: (i) Swift and severe punishment for perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others practicing same. (ii) Formation of Task force by government through the District Assemblies to visit shrines at each District and investigate their special places where they carry out devotions called ‘asadesu’; a place where human bodies are buried by ‘Hunuors’ (the priests) (iii) Reorientation of the youth on good moral values. (iv) passing of stringent laws scrutinizing the licensing or certification of religious leaders. (v) Improvement in security architecture.

I wish to conclude that investigations are actively underway and the security agencies would not sleep until all perpetrators are arrested to face justice. Ghana is a law abiding country. I assure that investors intending to carry out investment in Adidome or Tongu areas as well as private and government workers posted to the area are safe and that they should not be scared. Adidome is a safe haven – it has a secure and supportive environment. Traditional leaders as well as District Assemblies are giving residents, investors and visitors full assurance that Tongu area in the Volta Region is safe.

Cc.

1. The Media

2. The Central Tongu District Assembly

3. The BNI, Adidome

4. The District Police Commander, Adidome

5. The Divisional Commander of Police, Sogakope

6. The Regional Police Commander, Volta Region

7. The Regional Minister

8. The Minister for National Security

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh