A controversy has erupted in Tadzewu-Devego in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region following allegations that Prophetess Agbeyeye, who had been keeping a married woman called Awoenam under her custody in the name of spiritual guidance, allegedly left the area with the woman after traditional rulers ordered her to relocate.
According to accounts surrounding the case, Prophetess Agbeyeye allegedly claimed that God had revealed to her that there was “darkness” in Tadzewu and that she was required to return from Accra to the community to bring light to the area.
She reportedly explained that after receiving what she described as the divine revelation, she returned to Tadzewu and began carrying out spiritual activities which she believed were intended to address the situation.
Prophetess Agbeyeye also allegedly stated that she came to inform the elders of her church, the ARS concerning the revelation and her mission in the community. However, according to the account, she claimed that the church elders did not take action on the matter.
The situation later attracted the attention of the woman’s family after concerns were raised over Madam Awoenam’s continued stay under the custody of the prophetess without the consent of her family.
Madam Awoenam’s family subsequently petitioned the Duamenefa Foundation to investigate the matter and intervene.
Following the petition, the Duamenefa Foundation, led by its Executive President, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, began engagements with relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the ARS Church, traditional rulers and state institutions.
As part of the investigation, the leadership of the ARS Church reportedly told the Duamenefa Foundation that the spirit they believed was operating through Prophetess Agbeyeye was not from God.
The investigation consequently continued, with the various stakeholders examining the circumstances surrounding the prophetess’s activities in the community and the presence of Madam Awoenam, a married woman under her custody.
Speaking to the Duamenefa Foundation during an interaction with Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, Executive President of the foundation, the Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Agbotui, confirmed that the firewood-burning service associated with the prophetess had been stopped.
Hon. Agbotui further confirmed that the woman was expected to leave the area following a directive from the traditional rulers.
According to the account, the elders of the church and the traditional rulers eventually ordered Prophetess Agbeyeye to leave Tadzewu-Devego.
However, the matter allegedly took another turn when Prophetess Agbeyeye was leaving the area.
According to information presented to the Duamenefa Foundation, the prophetess allegedly absconded with Madam Awoenam.
The alleged departure raised fresh concerns among the woman’s family, who reportedly expected the woman to be separated from the prophetess following the intervention by the traditional authorities and other stakeholders.
The family subsequently reported the matter to the police.
A police extract was reportedly issued following the complaint, and the extract was made available for a radio announcement as part of efforts to help trace the whereabouts of the woman and Prophetess Agbeyeye.
Currently, the family of the woman is reportedly searching for her whereabouts and remains concerned about her safety and circumstances. The family is seeking credible information that could assist in locating her and establishing her current situation.
The development has generated concerns about the circumstances under which individuals seeking spiritual guidance may become separated from their families or remain under the custody of spiritual practitioners for extended periods.
The Duamenefa Foundation’s intervention is understood to have been aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the woman’s situation, engaging the appropriate authorities and ensuring that the concerns raised by her family were properly addressed.
The involvement of the ARS Church leadership, traditional rulers, the Assembly Member and relevant state institutions has brought several stakeholders into the matter, while the police complaint has added a formal law-enforcement dimension to the case.
For Madam Awoenam’s family, the immediate priority remains locating her and determining the circumstances surrounding her alleged departure from Tadzewu-Devego with Prophetess Agbeyeye.
The ongoing investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the prophetess’s claims of divine revelation, her activities in the community, the circumstances under which the married woman came under her custody, and the events that led to their alleged departure together.
The case remains subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities. The allegations against Prophetess Agbeyeye have not been independently established, and all persons involved are presumed innocent unless and until wrongdoing is established.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze