A chieftaincy dispute within the Dzonyrah family of Akame in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region has deepened, extending beyond internal family disagreements to involve the Nogokpo Shrine and a senior police officer.
The dispute centers on a rotational system of leadership divided into four categories, where each group takes turns to nominate a candidate for installation. Tensions reportedly heightened when one faction accused Mr. Yaotse Alade and others of hiding firearms to obstruct an upcoming installation. The allegations were formally reported to the police and the suspects processed to court, however, the court found no evidence to support the claims and discharged Mr. Yaotse Alade and the other accused persons accordingly.
Following their clearance, Mr. Yaotse Alade and others are said to have petitioned the Nogokpo Shrine, seeking spiritual intervention to identify the individual responsible for the initial police complaint.
Subsequently, the shrine leaders reportedly summoned the Dzonyra family members to appear before them for inquiries. According to Chief Inspector Nuaku, the shrine leaders asked them to undergo certain spiritual practices which is described as trial by ordeal. He alleged that although he initially refused, he was compelled to participate under duress.
Mr. Kwadzo Adukpo, the Secretary to the Nogokpo Shrine, specifically stated that the claim that Chief Inspector Nuaku was forced to perform the ritual under duress is not true; the Chief Inspector participated at his own accord.
Earlier interactions reportedly indicated that Chief Inspector Nuaku claimed that it was the shrine secretary, Mr. Kwadzo Adukpo, who did not allow him to speak freely at the shrine and allegedly pushed him to perform the ritual under duress. This account contradicts the response by the Nogokpo Shrine, which insists that the Chief Inspector willingly participated in the spiritual process.
Meanwhile, the Duamenefa Foundation continues its investigation to establish the full facts surrounding the matter. As part of its inquiry, the Foundation has reached out to the Nogokpo Shrine to seek its response to the allegations and to ensure that all sides of the issue are fairly represented. The responses by the Nogokpo Shrine to the allegations raised by Chief Inspector Nuaku are contradictory
Providing further details, Mr. Adukpo stated that it was Mr. Yaotse Alade, Mr. Kwamivi Midekor, and one Mr. Amey who initially summoned Mr. Kwami Hotorwu before the shrine.
According to Mr. Adukpo, the three men reported that police officers had arrived at their residence one day, searched their rooms, and arrested them without prior explanation. The case was later taken to court under the title “Republic versus” the accused persons. They attended several hearings without knowing who had lodged the complaint against them.
He said the presiding judge eventually ruled that there was no evidence to prosecute them and discharged the accused persons. On the day of the ruling, they reportedly saw Mr. Kwami Hotorwu in court, and the judge informed him that the allegations raised against the accused were unsubstantiated. It was then, according to the shrine’s account, that they realized Mr. Hotorwu had raised the initial complaint that led to their arrest and court appearances.
Mr. Adukpo further stated that the shrine summoned Mr. Hotorwu, and he honored the invitation. During his appearance, Mr. Hotorwu reportedly explained that Chief Inspector Paul Nuaku had informed him that one Mr. Raymond had indicated there would be gunfire during the installation proceedings, which could even result in loss of life. According to Mr. Hotorwu, he was advised to quickly inform the police, leading to the search of the accused persons’ rooms and their subsequent arrest for investigation.
The shrine secretary said the leaders then asked Mr. Hotorwu how they could reach Chief Inspector Nuaku to verify the claims. Mr. Hotorwu reportedly responded that he would inform the Chief Inspector to appear before the shrine. Mr. Adukpo added that Chief Inspector Nuaku subsequently appeared and is now considered a witness in the matter.
According to Mr. Adukpo, when Chief Inspector Nuaku appeared before the shrine, he stated that it was Mr. Raymond who allegedly informed him that gunshots could be fired if the installation process proceeded, potentially endangering lives. He explained that this prompted him to inform his uncle, Mr. Hotorwu, to report the matter to the police. When questioned by shrine leaders on whether he was certain of his claims, he reportedly answered in the affirmative and stated that he had recordings to support his assertions.
Mr. Adukpo further disclosed that the shrine subsequently invited Mr. Raymond to appear and respond to the allegations attributed to him. According to the secretary, Mr. Raymond denied ever telling Chief Inspector Nuaku anything about plans to fire guns during the installation process and maintained that the allegations were false. He reportedly added that some parties might be using his reputation as a landguard against him.
The shrine secretary added that even after Mr. Raymond’s denial, Chief Inspector Nuaku insisted that what he was saying was true. The shrine then gave the parties another opportunity to reconsider before proceeding. When they returned, they maintained their positions, and the shrine allowed them to carry out the spiritual process.
According to Mr. Adukpo, during the process, the complainants invoked the gods, called Zakadza, asking that the truth about what had happened in the rooms be revealed. Chief Inspector Nuaku, as the defendant’s witness, also participated, stating that since Mr. Raymond had not provided the information he allegedly claimed, the gods should reveal the truth and he even put forward a pledge of accountability, saying that if the gods worked, he would bear any consequences.
Having sought further clarification on this developing story, the Duamenefa Foundation called on Mr. Joseph Ameyibor, the Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to educate the public on the matter. Mr. Ameyibor, emphasized that the Constitution of Ghana does not permit any shrine to summon individuals or perform spiritual practices as a means of invoking the wrath of the gods. Any shrine found to engage in such practices may face legal implications under Ghanaian law.
The unfolding events continue to underscore the complex interplay between customary chieftaincy structures, spiritual institutions, and Ghana’s formal legal system, as community leaders call for calm while investigations by the Duamenefa Foundation proceed.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
Edited by Isabella Emmanuella Evortepe, UEW – Fafaa 100.3 Fm