In a tragic incident, Kenna Yenpoka, a woman from Damol-Tindongo in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, was brutally beaten to death after being falsely accused of witchcraft. Her devastated family members are now expressing their grief and calling for a change in the way witchcraft accusations are handled.
Atia Tii, a sibling of the late Kenna Yenpoka, was shocked and pained by the accusations against his sister. He stated that she had never shown any signs of being a witch and was unfairly lynched by a group of individuals at the Pelungu market. In a documentary called “THE HORRORS OF WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATION” by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Mr. Tii explained that traditional customs in the past allowed accused individuals to undergo a ritual called ‘Puhuk’ to determine their guilt or innocence. If found guilty, they would pay a fine, but their lives would be spared. Sadly, this process was ignored in Kenna’s case, leading to her tragic death.
According to Poka Tii, Kenna’s sister-in-law, Kenna was a kind and respectful person who showed her great kindness when she joined the family. However, she was falsely accused of witchcraft during a visit to the Pelungu chief Palace. Despite being released after discussions, she was summoned again a few months later and accused of spiritually harming someone. Poka Tii, who had never witnessed any witchcraft from Kenna, was devastated by her lynching in Pelungu.
Poka Tii spoke of the qualities she missed since Kenna’s passing, highlighting her role as the caretaker of the family and her important role in the ‘Tuore’ tradition. Sadly, since Kenna’s death, the family has been unable to find anyone to fill her place.
Offering a suggestion to the community, Madam Poka Tii emphasized the importance of conducting thorough investigations instead of resorting to lynching whenever someone is accused of witchcraft. False accusations due to personal grudges or hatred can ruin innocent lives. She stressed the need to adhere to the traditional process that prohibits lynching and the potential conflicts it can cause between the affected family and the community.
The Pelungu community has a history of witchcraft accusations and lynching, which is a growing concern in Ghana, particularly in the northern part of the country. Immediate action is needed to address this issue and prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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