The Tano Adwumamu Traditional Council in the Afigya Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region has launched an investigation into recent reports of alleged spiritual possession of some students of Adwumamu Junior High School (JHS), an incident which led to the temporary closure of the school.
According to the traditional council, the claims have raised serious doubts, as the revered deity of the Adwumamu community does not possess ordinary individuals.
Reports indicate that several students of Adwumamu JHS allegedly exhibited signs of spiritual possession on Thursday, February 5, prompting school authorities to temporarily shut down the school as a precautionary measure.
Adom News’ reporter, Kwadwo Obeng Mireku, visited the community to engage members of the traditional council to better understand the spiritual significance of the Adwumamu deity and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Speaking to Adom News, Nana Duodu, a sub-chief of the Tano Adwumamu Traditional Council, explained that the community hosts one of the most powerful deities in Asanteman.
According to him, the deity does not possess just anyone.
“The deity only possesses individuals from families traditionally assigned to serve it,” he stated.
Nana Duodu further explained that whenever a deity possesses a person, the spirit invariably leads the individual to the shrine, regardless of where the possession occurs. He therefore expressed skepticism about the recent incident at the school.
“If the possession were genuine, the affected persons would have been drawn to the deity’s shrine. That did not happen, which raises questions about the authenticity of the claims,” he added.
He noted that none of the students who reportedly claimed to be possessed was brought to the shrine, making it difficult for the council to ascertain the nature of the spirit involved.
“There are many forms of spiritual manifestations—some are genuine, others are linked to witchcraft, pretense, or even deception. We have therefore invited the families of the affected students to meet with the council so we can determine the truth. Moreover, most of the students involved are not natives of this community,” he said.
Also speaking to Adom News, Nana Kofi Yamoah, the Otumfuo-appointed paramount custodian of the Tano Adwumamu deity, revealed that the deity has existed since the era of Okomfo Anokye.
He recounted that the deity played a crucial role in assisting the Asante Kingdom during the historic war against Denkyira, emphasizing that Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II holds the deity in high reverence.
“Anytime Otumfuo attends a gathering related to the deity, he waits for its presence before taking his seat,” Nana Kofi Yamoah disclosed.
He further revealed that in his more than thirty years of service as custodian of the deity, only four individuals have ever been genuinely possessed within the community.
“We are currently preparing to present the new priest of the deity to Otumfuo,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nana Osei Yaw, the linguist of the Adwumamu deity, described the deity’s protection over the community as exceptional.
“It is rare for community members to be involved in fatal accidents. Additionally, no mentally unstable person can remain in the community for more than 24 hours. The deity has positively contributed to the peace and safety of Adwumamu,” he explained.
The linguist further reiterated that they would soon meet with the students who claimed to have been possessed, stressing that spiritual manifestations vary widely.
”Some possessions are linked to witchcraft, others to ghost spirits, and in some cases, individuals merely collapse or behave as if intoxicated,” he stated.
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