A leading member of the Fetish Priests Association of Ghana, Nana Baffour Gyau of the Asuo Pamoo Spiritual Home in Abofrem, located in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, has voiced his displeasure over the exclusion of traditional religious leaders from the recent National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Service organized under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Despite the snub, Nana Baffour Gyau assured the nation that traditional priests remain steadfast in their commitment to the spiritual protection of Ghana. According to him, even though no official invitation was extended to traditional religious leaders, their loyalty to the country remains unwavering.
In a press interaction, Baffour Gyau stated that it was unfortunate and disheartening that the event, which was held in churches and mosques across the country, deliberately sidelined traditionalists. He described the action as a violation of Ghana’s religious diversity and inclusiveness.
“Ghana has three major religions—Christianity, Islam, and Traditional. Yet, when it comes to national events like this, it is always the traditionalists who are ignored,” he lamented. “We were not invited to the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, but that won’t stop us from doing our duty. We will continue to pray for and spiritually protect this country, as we have always done.”
He questioned why the government often limits national spiritual observances to only Christians and Muslims, hinting that former President Mahama may have based his choices on his own religious affiliation or the proximity of church and mosque leaders to political power.
“Maybe the President is a Christian or a Muslim, or maybe it’s because only pastors and imams visit the Jubilee House. But that doesn’t mean the traditional faith should be forgotten. We also matter,” he asserted.
Baffour Gyau urged his fellow fetish priests across the country to organize themselves and formally visit the presidency to affirm their presence and contributions. “If we are not known at the Jubilee House, then we must go there ourselves. It’s time we took our rightful place in national spiritual matters,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment in the country’s clergy, especially Christian leaders, for failing to speak up on behalf of traditionalists. He noted that true spiritual leadership should be rooted in fairness and inclusivity.
“The pastors and imams are being partial. If they were truly serving God, they would have told the President to include all religions. God does not discriminate,” Baffour Gyau emphasized. “As fetish priests, we love all people regardless of their religion. We don’t ask whether you are Christian, Muslim, or traditionalist before we help. We are united in our mission to serve and protect.”
Nana Baffour Gyau’s comments have ignited renewed discussions on religious inclusivity in Ghana, especially in state functions. Many are now calling for reforms to ensure that all recognized faith groups are represented in national events, especially those centered around spiritual unity and national reflection.
Despite being left out, the Fetish Priests Association’s continued loyalty to Ghana remains a powerful statement of national unity and traditional spiritual resilience.
