Trokosi is a cultural practice among the Ewe tribe in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The practice requires a young virgin girl to be offered to fetish priests in atonement for the crimes committed by a relative. This form of slavery requires a girl to serve the shrine and its gods for the rest of her life. If she runs away or dies, she must be replaced. If she marries, although unlikely, she is still obligated to fulfill her duties to the priests. It is believed that a young girl’s inability to fulfill her duties will bring death to the family. Although this form of modern slavery was outlawed in 1998, it is still secretly practiced in Ghana’s Volta.
We approached the Honorable Joshua Jokeman, the Chairman of the National Labor Association of Persons with Disabilities, to visit a shrine. He said, “Trokosi cannot be wiped away easily in Ghana. They need ENA’s help to intervene the cultural practice.” This rare opportunity to visit a shrine was sobering and clearly indicated ENA with our partners, need to advocate for these young girls and women.
Our vision is to create awareness, advocate against modern slavery, and facilitate a deeper understanding of human trafficking in high risk communities. In order to create awareness and help these women, educate families and communities leaders we need your help and support to eradicate this destructive cultural practice.