Abstract:
Trokosi meaning ‘slave of a fetish’ is an ancient cultural practice still in vogue among some tribes in
parts of West Africa. It requires parents to offer their virgin daughters to serve as sex-slaves to fetish shrines in
atonement for earlier sins committed by family members. Considered by opponents as outdated, apocalyptic, and
outright human rights abuse, it is revered by adherents of the fetish system. In Ghana, the Trokosi law has officially
abolished the practice but this has not deterred adherents. Combining literature study, participant observation and
in-depth interviews with three key stakeholders in a southern part of Ghana, the study investigated the abusive
nature of Trokosism, its effects on the ‘liberated’, and how to effectively combat it. The results suggest that the
‘liberated’ Trokosi were subjected to both physical and emotional abuse and denial of basic needs and rights. It
however seems that the practice is abating. Since Trokosism (the Trokosi system) is based upon deep-seated beliefs,
the most realistic strategy to combat it would be to educate practitioners and communities on human rights as well
as through negotiation.
