Nana Agartha Kyeraa, a Priestess and Caretaker of the Benkasa ‘Ntensere shrine’
Nana Agartha Kyeraa, a priestess and caretaker of the Benkasa ‘Ntensere Shrine,’ has expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition given to local deities and traditional gods during the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving event.
She described this omission as an affront to Ghanaian culture and tradition, calling on the government to render an unqualified apology. She urged the state to respect and preserve traditional beliefs and customs, which she described as the foundation of the nation’s religious heritage.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Benkasa, Nana Kyeraa stated, “There is no way we can change our belief systems. Our local deities have contributed to the prevailing peace and social unity, and we must therefore acknowledge and give them the recognition they deserve.”
“We shouldn’t forget that it is our local gods that have helped preserve our culture and traditions, which reflect our true identity as Ghanaians and Africans,” she emphasized.
“In fact, idol worship promotes high moral standards, discipline, principles, and respect—because you can’t joke with idols or gods and go scot-free,” Nana Kyeraa added, asserting, “That is our ancestral heritage, and we can’t throw it away.”
She attributed the current rise in corruption, moral decadence, and lawlessness in the country partly to the adulteration and neglect of Ghana’s cultural and traditional values.
She stressed that the country cannot develop if it continues to undermine its local gods and deities, warning that their neglect poses a serious threat to the nation’s future, as they are the backbone of its tradition and culture.