Tema-Ghana, April 15, CDA Consult – Nii Oshipi Bredum Adofoasa II, Shipi of Krokoshwe, a Ga-Nglishi has declared that Ghanaian traditions are not fetishist as some people misinterpret it to be.
Nii Adofoasa, therefore, expressed concern that some depict ethnic groups’ traditions as fetishes and hence refuse to respect them.
As a result, he urged non-indigenous residents and visitors to respect the traditions of their host ethnic groups, particularly during festivals and other festivities.
He noted that because it is the country’s capital, the Ga traditional territories have become home to various ethnic groups, and that it is highly concerning when such occupants turn to refer to the Ga people’s customs and culture as a fetish.
He claims that during traditional festivities leading up to the Homowo festival, most individuals, including churches, refuse to respect the ban on drumming and making noise, a circumstance that could lead to conflicts between indigenous and non-indigenous people.
“Every town has its own traditions, so wherever you settle, obey their traditions, all languages, and ethnic people are in the Ga traditional areas, just as we obey their traditions when we dwell among them, they must also do the same for us all to enjoy the peace and coexist as one people,” he emphasized.
When distinguishing between traditions and fetishism, Nii Adofoasa stated that traditions were ancestral practices passed down to the people by their forefathers, whereas fetishism is the acquisition of idols by people who sacrifice gory things to them.
He stated that traditional leaders do not worship fetish objects, that the numerous seats that traditional leaders hold were created by God and were deities rather than idols, and that such deities were referred to as smaller gods in comparison to the supreme God.
“Our ancestors that we met, what we know is that the traditional priests (wulomoi) are the prophets for the Ga people, they are the ones that when the sea waves move, they understand, and they also dreamed so in the past,” he explained.
According to him, there were no chiefs in the past, stating that traditional priests and family heads led the people whenever they established a settlement, noting that more traditional leaders such as chiefs were added when villages and cities grew.
The Shipi of Krokorshwe went on to say that libation pouring was a sort of prayer connection with the gods and hence should not be considered a fetish, adding that churches, prayers, worship, and the giving of offerings to God whom they do not see, all have their traditions.
He stated that some traditional leaders did not even pour libation since they preferred to attend church but were still considered traditional leaders, while others did pour libation but did not have gods to which they sacrificed.
He did admit, though, that just as God created light and darkness, some traditional leaders may use their positions to worship idols, but the true traditionalist worships the deities of their town and clans.
