A month after security agencies failed to uncover the gruesome murder of a popular chop bar operator at Anloga in the Volta Region, the family of the deceased has decided to engage the thunder god at Nogokpo, Togbi Zakadza, to help unveil the culprits behind the crime.
Consequently, the family has obtained the permission of the Dufia of Anloga and Dome Fiaga of the Anlo State, Togbi Zewu IV, to beat the gong-gong to inform the community about their intention to find the perpetrators of the dastardly act through a “trial by ordeal” at the Nogokpo Yewe traditional temple.
In response to this request in a letter dated January 19, 2025, Togbi Zewu wrote: “I received your letter requesting me to grant you permission to beat the gong-gong at Anloga town as a condition of Yewe Shrine at Nogokpo to begin their spiritual search.”
“The purpose of beating the gong-gong is very necessary because it is a way of making the town aware of your intention of seeking spiritual intervention from the Yewe Shrine of Nogokpo.”
Crafted under the headline RE: the Tetteh and Ametewe Family of Anloga, Togbi Zewu declared: “My chiefs and I are in full support of this announcement in the town to make everybody aware of your next plan of action in search of the perpetrators of this crime—the brutal murder of Madam Dorcas Korkor Tetteh. Your permission is, therefore, granted.”
Revered Sanctuary
The Nogokpo Shrine, in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, is considered one of the most powerful traditional temples in the country.
Nogokpo, a small town near Agbozume and about 16 kilometers from Aflao, is shrouded in mystery because of the number of patrons who seek interventions from the Yewe shrine, making it a force to be reckoned with.
Many people also visit the shrine to seek justice from the gods when they feel treated unfairly or wronged.
Over the years, the mere mention of Nogokpo has sent shivers down the spines of many.
Zakadza is not the legal modern court of justice, but a spiritual deity that is believed to dispense justice and exact punishment on the perpetrators of any crime, particularly heinous ones such as murder.
Traditional Priest
Speaking to the Daily Graphic from Nogokpo yesterday, a priest at the shrine, Dogbatsey Tengey, said Zakadza was more active and potent now than ever before, without any signs of losing its potency.
On the operations of the shrine, Togbi Tengey said when families of victims of a crime approach the shrine, rituals are performed after which emissaries are deployed to beat the gong-gong for the perpetrators of the crime to willingly turn themselves in for justice to be served.
Togbi Tengey added that in the unlikely event that those who committed the crime do not confess, the family would report back to the shrine for another ritual to be performed and the gong-gong beaten for the second time.
After that second attempt to solicit a self-confession, the wrath of the god would begin to visit the criminal and their family.
“In fact, if the god strikes this time, it can destroy a whole family, including the extended ones,” Togbi Tengey explained.
Awadada
The Awadada (War Lord) of Anlo, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, told the Daily Graphic that he had been duly informed by the chief of Anloga of his permit, which granted the emissaries of the Zakadza god permission to undertake that important spiritual exercise. He added that “this step is to complement the investigations being carried out by the police.”
He said even in the Western world, security agencies employ the assistance of spirits and deities to unravel mysteries surrounding crimes such as this.
Togbi Agbesi Awusu expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be apprehended and called on residents to cooperate with both the traditional authorities and the police in that direction.
Background
Dorcas Korkor Tetteh, 60, the operator of The Base Chopbar, was found lying lifeless on the floor in her room at Anloga, Dornorgbor, in the early hours of Saturday, December 28, last year.
The chop bar operator was killed in a suspected robbery incident gone bad.
Preliminary information from neighbors indicates that the suspected armed robbers attacked and killed the chop bar operator during the night.
The Presiding Member of the Anloga District Assembly, Joseph Kpattah, said Madam Tetteh had returned from church service the previous night.
He said when her workers arrived on Saturday morning, it was discovered that the metal bars on her windows had been removed, while the windows and doors were left open.
Upon entering her room, she was found lying lifeless on the floor with bruises all over her body.
A report was made to the police, who subsequently conveyed the body to the morgue for further investigation.
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