In the northern part of Ghana, traditional healers Atigaris and Nana Gyendus are highly respected for their abilities to diagnose and treat spiritual health problems. Often called witch doctors or finders, these healers have faced criticism for their methods, which sometimes lead to negative consequences. Accusations of witchcraft and questionable remedies administered to the accused have raised concerns among the public.
One such healer, Atigari Rita Adugbire from the Zaare community, a fetish priestess, recently spoke out against the negative perception of traditional healers. In a documentary called “THE HORRORS OF WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATION,” she aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of accusing people of witchcraft and the subsequent lynching of alleged witches and wizards.
Adugbire explained, “When someone is bewitched and they come to us for help, our main focus is always on healing and the well-being of the affected person, rather than seeking out the witch responsible for the spell. We do not randomly accuse individuals, especially the elderly, of being witches. It is the witches themselves who come to us for treatment. We understand that witches can be of all ages and sizes, and our duty remains solely to heal the person in need. However, if our deities guide us to find the witch, we will accept their intervention.”
She also shared insights into the practice during festivals, stating, “During these festivals, a witch from a distant place may come forward and confess to bewitching someone who has already been treated by us. This confession happens in front of the congregation, even when I may not be aware of it. It is crucial to note that we do not punish anyone who confesses to being a witch. Our main priority is to heal the person who has been bewitched.”
Adugbire emphasized that their healing practices focus on reviving the affected person, even if a witch confesses to bewitching them. However, if the witch decides to spiritually cook and consume the person’s meat, they are unable to save the individual.
In contrast, Aduku Agubire, the Atigari of the Yorogo Community, pointed out that most cases of witchcraft accusation and subsequent lynching are caused by churches and fake prophets in the region.
She stated that many people seek refuge from traditional healers because of their successful assistance. Sadly, some individuals attend churches where they claim their family members have put a spell on them. Agubire urged churches to refrain from making such statements and fueling accusations of witchcraft.
Ghana is witnessing a disturbing trend of witchcraft accusation and lynching, particularly in the northern parts of the country. It is important for society to address these issues and promote understanding and tolerance towards different spiritual beliefs and practices.
During my journey to Sirigu, a community in the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Nana Gyendu. Nana Gyendu is a well-known fetish priestess renowned for her extraordinary spiritual powers when it comes to matters of health.
Nana Gyendu graciously shared her unique process with me. She explained that if someone is brought to her and accused of being a witch, she cannot make the decision on her own about what should be done with that person. Instead, she communicates with the shrine, relaying the information that the person has been accused of witchcraft and asking for guidance on how to handle the case. The shrine, in turn, provides a solution.
Nana Gyendu emphasized that she does not mistreat the accused person in any way. She never resorts to physical violence or administers any substances for the person to swallow in order to extract a confession. Instead, she explained that both she and the accused person are operating on a spiritual level. Her role is simply to inform the shrine about the accusations brought by the people. Once this information is conveyed, the shrine and the accused person connect with each other in the spiritual realm. If the accused person is truly a witch, they will immediately confess. Following this confession, the shrine will show Nana Gyendu the medicine required to free the alleged witch. 
Nana Gyendu’s explanation shed light on her unique approach to dealing with cases of alleged witchcraft. It highlighted her respect for the individuals involved and her reliance on spiritual connections to ascertain the truth. Her process serves as a reminder that there are various perspectives and methods in addressing complex issues such as witchcraft accusations and understanding them is crucial to fostering empathy and seeking solutions.
The documentary was sponsored by MRG and with support by MPEC
Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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