Agama Shrine of Afife in the Volta Region Demands Two Virgin Girls In Servitude to the Gods.
Torgbui Torkpo Agbodemegbe III, Divisional Chief of Ahekpi in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta Region, has petitioned the Duamenefa Foundation to investigate and intervene to save the family in a disturbing traditional dispute involving Agama Shrine of Afife in the Volta Region of Ghana.
The shrine is demanding two fresh virgin girls in servitude to the gods, due to invocation of the wrath of the gods by one Mamaa Havor, which allegedly resulted in the death of three family members of Togbi Agbedemegbe III of Ziope The situation has reportedly delayed the burial of a deceased person, whose body remains at the mortuary as elders and family members struggle to resolve the matter.
According to Torgbui Agbodemegbe III, the matter dates back about nine to ten years ago when a serious incident occurred in the area. During that period, a provision store belonging to a woman known as Mama Havor was mysteriously set ablaze by unknown individuals. Deeply distressed by the destruction of her property, Mama Havor is said to have invoked the wrath of the gods at Afife through a shrine where Torgbui Agamah serves as a priest.
Following the invocation, events within the family reportedly took a tragic turn. One Mr. Dziwornu, brother-in-law to Mama Havor, passed away and was buried in line with normal funeral rites. another relative, Mr. Sitsope and Francis later died, both mortal remains are hanging in the morgue for the past three months, pending pacification rites demanded by the chief priest of the Agama shrine of Afife, which included the two fresh virgin girls.
Torgbui Agbodemegbe III alleged that prior to these incidents, Mr. Dziwornu was cohabiting with Cecelia, the daughter of Mama Havor but the relationship hit the rock and the two were separated and this, he claimed, may have infuriated Mr. Dziwornu to set his supposed mother-in-law’s store ablaze.
Years later, a man identified as Mr. Francis reportedly visited the family home on a motorbike. While attempting to dismount, he suddenly fell and became seriously ill. Alarmed by his sudden condition, family members consulted a traditional diviner to determine whether his illness had a spiritual cause.
According to the diviner, the Afa deity revealed that Mr. Francis had a secret he needed to confess and warned that his condition had reached a point where he would die regardless of whether he disclosed it. When family members asked him to reveal the secret, he admitted that he had known the truth about the fire that destroyed Mama Havor’s store. He revealed that his brother Sitsope and Mr. Dziwornu had been responsible for the fire, but he had failed to inform the elders. Shortly after confessing, Mr. Francis died, as the diviner had predicted.
Following his death, Torgbui Agbodemegbe III said the family approached Mama Havor to discuss a way forward. Mama Havor reportedly demanded compensation of Ghc10,000.00, but after negotiations, the parties agreed on Ghc5000.00. They then went to the shrine at Afife to inform the priest about the development and to seek guidance on how to pacify the gods following the earlier invocation.
However, Torgbui stated that the priest insisted that a human being must be presented to serve the gods as part of the rites before the shrine would accept the other items. Despite pleas from the family to reconsider, the priest maintained his demand, which was reportedly supported by one family member, Mr. Kove. While the majority of the parties agreed to the compensation and other arrangements, the unresolved demand for a human being remains the key issue preventing a final resolution of the dispute.
He added that due to the unresolved situation and fear that further misfortune could occur, the body of the two deceased is still kept at the mortuary, the family has been unable to proceed with the burial until the matter surrounding the shrine’s demands is fully addressed.
The standoff has sparked deep concern among residents, with many expressing fears that failure to properly resolve the matter could lead to further unrest or spiritual repercussions. Some community members, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they are anxious about traditional beliefs surrounding the shrine and want the issue addressed swiftly, while others have called for stronger engagement from local authorities to mediate the disagreement and protect public safety.
Religious leaders and civil society groups have also weighed in, urging dialogue between the families, the shrine priest, and elders to find a peaceful and culturally acceptable resolution. They emphasised the need to balance respect for traditional practices with fundamental human rights, while also appealing for unity and calm as the situation unfolds.
These allegations were contained in a petition addressed to the Executive President of Duamenefa Foundation and CEO of Fafaa 100.3 Fm, Mr. Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe by Torgbui Torkpo Agbodemegbe III, the divisional chief of Ahiekpi, Agortime Ziope District of the Volta Region
The Duamenefa Foundation has initiated investigation into the matter by reaching out to interrogate relevant parties aforementioned.
