My trip to The Village of NSoatre was quite an eye-opener. Because it filled me in on some of the cultural practices, beliefs, and mores of Ghanaians. Most of the people residing in that village were farmers, traders, and shepherds. My new acquaintances took me to a few farms. Most of them were far removed from the center of the town and also from the main thoroughfare. The way to these farms was usually a narrow, rocky, dirt road. The sides of which were littered with all kinds of trees and shrubbery. The first farm belonged to one of the brothers and only had about four goats. They did their best to obtain some goat milk for me but although their efforts were valiant. I do believe that they only obtained about four tablespoons. A very small volume but they nevertheless heated it at my request so that I could drink it. I probably had some goat milk before, during my childhood years, while residing in Jamaica. So much time has transpired since such initial experiences, and I had no distinct memory of the flavor of goat milk. However, when I drank the four tablespoons at the farm the milk was delicious.
From there we went to the house of one of their friends. I spoke to him personally and even showed him the ugly swelling on both of my legs. He assured me that the following day he would definitely have at least one liter of goat milk for me. By this time it was around 1:00 P.M. and since we were all hungry I decided that it would be a good time to visit a nearby restaurant. The food was delicious and all six brothers were very happy to eat and drink at my expense. The following morning the first sibling that I had originally met in Berekum. Called to advise me that the shepherd to whom we spoke the previous day had changed his mind. He accused me of being an Indian and asserted that I wanted the goat milk to work witchcraft. Such a development would result in the death of the goat. An eventuality that he could not afford. Once again I discovered that the practice of Black Magic was an intricate part of Ghana’s social fabric. Since beliefs kill and also cure, I understood that nothing I could possibly say would change his mind.
The people of Ghana often seek higher powers or spiritual persons who will protect them from the witches who are regarded as life-threatening forces. The early missionaries who came to Ghana, in their zeal to “evangelize and civilize the indigenous people” spelled out that, belief in the spirit-forces such as the gods, fetishism, dwarfs, amulets and witchcraft are devilish and demon induced, thus enforcing their belief in the spiritual forces but failed to provide for the all-inclusive needs of the people to combat these life-threatening forces as they have believed over the years. As a result, this has been a struggle for Ghanaians and down through the centuries to date, the belief of the activities of witchcraft has hugely affected the Ghanaian society.
WITCHCRAFT IN GHANA: Beliefs, Practices, And Consequences By Qwasi Atta Agyapong 27 May 2021.
I have never lived in a country where the Gospel is more widely proclaimed than in Ghana. But Black Magic is entrenched here. Interestingly enough it’s also entrenched in North America and The United Kingdom. I have personally encountered witches in the U.S.A., England, and Jamaica. In fact, when we study scripture we come to the realization that Witchcraft and Necromancy were perennial and age-long problems even among God’s ancient people. This is a problem that will persist until the end of time.
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)
Every problem, every violation of God’s sacred law, every senseless act of violence, every crime of passion, every act of hatred has its origin in the activities of the demonic powers who reside on planet Earth.
How can God’s people on earth ensure that they are protected from the effects of witchcraft and all demonic activities?
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV).
The brothers finally took me to a large farm, owned by a Ghanaian living abroad, but under the management and supervision of a relative. There were many cows, goats, sheep, ducks, and geese on this farm. We spent at least two hours there. As much as they tried, however, obtaining even a small quantity of goat milk proved to be an unattainable impossibility. The Okada driver who had taken us there demanded one hundred and fifty Cedis in compensation for his time and for taking us in his taxi to such a remote location. The brothers had no intention of accommodating his demand. We all got back into the three-wheeled automobile and ended up at the local market and taxi station. They ordered me to give the taxi operator one hundred cedis, and after I did so they bid him farewell. There was a taxi waiting there whose destination was The Berekum Station. I boarded it along with four other passengers and within twenty minutes I was back in Berekum. By about 3:00 P.M. I retired to my apartment in Sofokyere. Both of my legs were still swollen, and I was also experiencing generalized weakness in my calves with a great deal of discomfort.
(TO BE CONTINUED).
aadventuresinghana.wordpress.com 