A fetish priest who allegedly provides spiritual protection for illegal miners reportedly fled during an anti-galamsey raid by a taskforce along the Ankobra River in the Western Region.
The shrine, dedicated to Maame Wata and said to belong to Togbe Nana Benin, was uncovered during a joint riverine operation with the Western Naval Command on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
The priest allegedly abandoned the site without attempting to invoke any spiritual powers after spotting the taskforce.
Accra-based TV3 reported that the team also inspected several makeshift structures used by illegal miners along the riverbank.
Inside one room believed to be used for purification rituals, officers found a list of prescribed ritual items — one sheep, one goat, six fowls, one guinea fowl, cowries valued at GHC 3,000, and an additional cash payment of GHC 300. Two sheep and a fowl were found tethered nearby, apparently awaiting sacrifice.
A naval officer who led the operation described the discovery: “This room is designated for the mallam or juju man. You’ve escaped, yet you’re supposed to wait and meet with us. We don’t have time for this; we only answer to God. You’re running away? Next time, we expect to see you with the juju.”
Western Regional National Security Liaison Officer Brigadier General Musah Whajah (Rtd) reiterated the taskforce’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining, saying no form of intimidation or spiritual ritual would derail the mission.
He vowed the team would persist until meaningful improvement was seen in the state of the Ankobra River.
The operation has reignited debate about whether spiritual symbols deter enforcement teams or strengthen their resolve.
The taskforce leader was unequivocal: “This is where they consult the gods, their operating bed, so to speak. They believe that by doing this, they’ll be granted more gold, but in reality, they’re destroying our water bodies. We won’t forgive them; we’ll destroy everything. Wherever their gods reside, we’re ready to confront them. We’ve encountered various rituals — white sheep, white fowls, and other things — but we won’t back down. We’ll take them down and move forward.”
Source: Adomonline
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