May 2013 AfriKids is a Child Rights Organisation working to improve life for Ghana’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in a holistic, inclusive and sustainable manner
GRAND DECLARATION Celebrating the end of the ‘spirit child phenomenon’ in the Kasena Nankana East District On 27th April seven communities in the Kassena Nankana East district held a festival to celebrate the end of the spirit child phenomenon in their communities. AfriKids’ longest running programme, based in the Kassena Nankana East District, has been at the forefront of tackling child abuse and infanticide linked to the spirit child phenomenon for the past decade. This historic gathering of elders, tribal chiefs, AfriKids and community members marked a joint declaration on the ending of this practice in the seven communities; Sirigu, Kandiga, Mirigu, Nabongo, Yua, Natugnia, and Manyoro. In the weeks leading up to the durbar, together with the communities’ chiefs AfriKids arranged video screenings
in several communities reflecting on the spirit child phenomenon and the tremendous achievements as a result of the dedicated work of chiefs, community members, concoction men and AfriKids Ghana staff. Nich Kumah, AfriKids Ghana Director acknowledged the contributions of all partners in getting AfriKids this far and asked for their continuous support and contribution. In his keynote address, the Upper East Regional Minister also lauded the work of AfriKids in complementing the work of government by meeting the needs of the region’s most vulnerable people. He congratulated the chiefs and people for taking a bold step in announcing the end of the spirit child phenomenon in their communities. There was a festival atmosphere as the declaration speech was delivered by the Chief of Kandiga, on behalf of all of the seven chiefs. He spoke of AfriKids’
intervention in order to change this ancient practice – helping convert the concoction men into new “Right To Life Promoters”, who speak out against the practice– and then he declared the practice officially over. In the last four years no infant has been reported as having been killed as a Spirit Child. There is no doubt about the significance of this event in the history of the local people and of AfriKids. It is important to note that the people themselves had waited for this day to come. It was very clear in the faces of the people as they took turns to perform their drumming and dancing that they were overjoyed about the official ending of the practice. Please click here to watch an interview on the spirit child phenomenon on Arise news with Sally Vivyan Click here to read an article in The World Outline on this grand declaration Click here to read an article on AfriKids’ work in these communities in Ghana Business News