Duamenefa Foundation Let us coexist in peace together
The Executive President of Duamenefa Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze, in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, also known as Torgbui Duamenefa I, has expressed deep concern over deceptive malpractices of some people who clothe themselves in apparel of soothsayers, diviners, pastors and other related spiritual medium practitioners
He made the statement during the Duamenefa Social Intervention Program on Sunday evening, with special reference to a disturbing ongoing investigation and intervention by the Duamenefa Foundation to rescue a family from hindering of inquest by certain voodoo practitioners who attributes the death of a pregnant woman to factors relating to invocation of the wrath of the gods.
The mortal remains of the pregnant woman is lying in the mortuary for the past 16 months, due to threats of eminent danger from the gods if the family dare to bury the deceased without performing some requisite rituals demanded by the gods
According to Mr. Evortepe, the deceased family was allegedly prevented from performing her funeral rites because a soothsayer claimed that her death was connected to the invocation of the wrath of the gods. The soothsayer reportedly instructed that certain sacrifices must be performed to pacify the gods before her body could be released; otherwise, the family was warned that another person might die if they attempted to take her body from the mortuary.
Citing past examples, Mr. Evortepe revealed that the Foundation had previously investigated a case at Tormife Shrine in Anloga District of the Volta Region, where it was alleged that the shrine’s gods demanded a human being in servitude to the gods before the Nutakor family of Nogokpo could retrieve their deceased relative from the mortuary for burial. Upon thorough investigation, however, the Duamenefa Foundation unravel that the soothsayer’s claims were false and intended to deceive the family. The investigation confirmed that the Tormife Shrine gods had not made such demands, exposing the deception.
He also shared another example at Agbanyagafe Shrine in Afiadenyigba, where a person was accused of stealing his employer’s items. When questioned, the accused refused to admit responsibility, and the employer allegedly went to the shrine to consult the gods. According to the shrine, the gods revealed that the worker was responsible and demanded over Ghc 60,000 as payment to resolve the issue. When the Duamenefa Foundation intervened, the family only paid Ghc 11,000, highlighting how some soothsayers exploit people for financial gain.
Mr. Evortepe further cited another case investigated by the Foundation in a different shrine, at Weta, Ketu North Municipality, where a priest called Hunor Agbanutuvi allegedly collected millions of Ghana cedis from a family over the death of their son, who was accused of stealing money from a family member. Following the death of the young man, Hunor Agbanutuvi claimed his gods were responsible for the death and demanded a huge sum before the family could perform the funeral rites. When the Duamenefa Foundation intervened, the shrine returned all items taken from the family, revealing that the shrine’s demands were not in accordance with proper spiritual practices and had no basis in truth.
On this note, Mr. Evortepe posed a question regarding the current ongoing investigation, asking whether it will follow the same pattern of deception or if it will be an exception. He expressed concern that families should be cautious and not blindly accept claims without verification.
He also warned soothsayers and self acclaimed pastors who mislead or deceive people through their spiritual practices, stating that such behavior is unacceptable in practice and procedures
Furthermore, he assured the public, especially the family whose daughter’s body has remained in the mortuary, that the Duamenefa Foundation will continue its investigation to get to the bottom of the matter and ensure that the deceased daughter is retrieved from the mortuary and given a proper funeral.
Mr. Evortepe described these incidents as “worrying” and cautioned the public about the dangers of blindly following unverified spiritual claims, which can lead to unnecessary fear, emotional trauma, and exploitation of grieving families.
He further emphasized that families should seek verified guidance and not allow themselves to be manipulated by individuals claiming spiritual authority. The Foundation, he said, is committed to educating the public on ethical spiritual practices and protection against deception.
The Duamenefa Social Intervention Programme of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Dzodze, continues to serve as a platform for discussions on community issues, spiritual accountability, and social welfare, while providing guidance on how to navigate complex cultural and spiritual matters.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
