The harm to water bodies through illegal mining (galamsey) operations has left the majority of Ghana's river deities powerless.
This is according to Okomfo Baffour Gyau, a member of the Fetish Priests Association of Ghana, based in the Abofrem community of the Ashanti region.
He claims the country is experiencing a steady rise in disasters, crime and other vices due to the impotence of some sacred activities often performed in water bodies. "The galamsey menace has turned all the spirits in the rivers that were guarding the nation helpless," he claimed. "At first, people were scared to steal, but today robbery is increasing daily because curses don't work".
He was speaking at the 14th Yam Festival in the Bibiani Old Town, where several traditional priests displayed their antics.