Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation, has called on the leadership of the Awalavi Shrine, in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region to cleanse their initiate and leave the non initiate alone, urging them to allow the police to handle any alleged assault matter through the appropriate legal process.
Mr. Evortepe made the statement on the airwaves of Fafaa 100.3 FM during the Duamenefa Social Intervention Programme, as the Foundation continued its investigation into a petition concerning a dispute between two individuals, one of whom is reportedly an initiate of a particular traditional spiritual practice while the other is a non initiate.
According to information before the Foundation, the initiate initially reported the matter to the police, alleging that she had been assaulted. An arrest was reportedly made in connection with the complaint.
The matter was subsequently taken to the Awalavi Shrine, where Midao Akrorbortu and Torbokor Martin were reportedly involved in the traditional arbitration process.
Despite the fact that the matter had already been reported to the police and an arrest had reportedly been made, the shrine authorities allegedly proceeded to hear the dispute and imposed a fine on the non initiate.
It was this development that attracted the attention of the Duamenefa Foundation, which began seeking clarification from relevant state institutions and officials on the legality and appropriateness of the action.
As part of its efforts to educate the public and establish the facts, the Foundation reached out to officials from relevant state institutions to provide their views on the matter and explain the appropriate procedures for handling disputes involving alleged assault.
According to the information provided to the Foundation, the decision by the shrine to impose a fine on the non initiate in a matter involving an alleged assault that had already been reported to the police was criticised as being unconstitutional.
Mr. Evortepe therefore called on the leadership of the Awalavi Shrine to address the situation concerning their initiate within their traditional system and leave the non initiate alone.
He urged the shrine leadership to allow the police and other appropriate state institutions to perform their duties where allegations of assault or other offences have been reported.
He stressed that traditional arbitration and cultural practices should not be used in a manner that interferes with the functions of state institutions or subjects a non initiate to punishment or intimidation through spiritual authority.
Mr. Evortepe said the Foundation respects traditional institutions and recognises their role in maintaining peace and resolving certain community disputes. However, he maintained that such roles must be exercised within the limits of the law and with respect for the rights of every individual.
He further questioned the basis upon which a non initiate could be subjected to traditional sanctions arising from practices associated with a spiritual system to which that person does not belong.
According to him, if the initiate believes that she has been spiritually affected or that an issue has arisen within the traditional spiritual system she follows, the appropriate traditional authorities should deal with that aspect among themselves, while any alleged criminal conduct should be left to the competent state institutions.
He therefore called on the Awalavi Shrine leadership to separate the traditional or spiritual aspect of the matter from the alleged assault complaint and allow the police to continue with their responsibilities.
The Foundation’s intervention has also brought renewed attention to the question of whether a traditional shrine should impose sanctions on a person who is not an initiate, particularly where the dispute involves an alleged criminal offence that has already been reported to the police.
Mr. Evortepe questioned why the same matter would be subjected to a traditional process after the police had already taken action, including making an arrest. He said such a development could create confusion over which institution should have responsibility for determining the appropriate outcome.
He maintained that where an individual alleges that he or she has been assaulted, the complaint should be handled through the appropriate legal channels, while traditional institutions may address matters that properly fall within their traditional mandate.
He further argued that a person who does not subscribe to or belong to a particular traditional spiritual system should not be compelled to accept its spiritual authority or sanctions.
According to him, the fact that one party is an initiate does not automatically make the other party subject to the rules or spiritual obligations of that traditional institution.
Mr. Evortepe therefore called on the Awalavi Shrine leadership to distinguish between matters concerning their initiate and allegations involving a non initiate.
He said if the shrine believes that its initiate has a spiritual concern that requires traditional attention, the shrine can deal with that aspect within its own traditional framework, but should not use it as a basis to intimidate, punish or impose sanctions on the non initiate.
He also stressed the importance of allowing the police to complete their work without interference, particularly because the alleged assault had already been reported to them.
The Executive President said the Foundation’s concern is not to attack or disrespect the Awalavi Shrine, but to ensure that traditional practices are exercised responsibly and do not conflict with the rights and freedoms of individuals.
He urged the shrine leadership and all other traditional authorities involved in similar situations to exercise caution when dealing with disputes that have elements of criminal allegations.
Mr. Evortepe said the Foundation would continue to engage relevant state institutions, traditional authorities and the parties involved to educate the public and promote a better understanding of the proper channels for resolving such disputes.
He also called on members of the public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, stressing that disputes should be handled through recognised and appropriate mechanisms.
The matter remains under investigation by the Duamenefa Foundation, which is seeking further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the shrine’s decision, the reported fine and the relationship between the traditional proceedings and the earlier police complaint.
The Foundation is also examining the different accounts surrounding the arbitration and the roles played by the traditional priest and the secretary during the proceedings.
The controversy has generated broader public discussion about the relationship between traditional arbitration and the formal justice system, particularly in cases where one party is an initiate of a traditional institution and the other is not.
It has also raised questions about the boundaries of traditional authority, the handling of alleged assault cases and the circumstances under which a person who is not an initiate may become subject to decisions arising from a shrine’s traditional processes.
The Duamenefa Foundation has maintained that its objective is not to undermine traditional institutions but to promote fairness, accountability, peaceful dispute resolution and respect for the rights and dignity of all parties.
Mr. Evortepe reiterated that traditional institutions can contribute significantly to peace and community development, but their interventions should be conducted responsibly and within the framework of the law.
He called on all stakeholders involved in the matter to exercise restraint and allow the appropriate institutions to perform their respective duties.
The Foundation is expected to continue its engagement with the relevant stakeholders as it works to establish the facts surrounding the case and ensure that the rights of both the initiate and the non initiate are respected.
Until the investigation is concluded, the various allegations and counterclaims remain subject to verification, and all parties involved are expected to be given a fair opportunity to respond.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze