A young man, believed to have been forcibly initiated by his grandfather into the traditional society at the age of 3, is on the run, refusing to take the shrine’s priesthood.
Theophilus Kpoleh, who was initiated in 1996 in Bong County, Central Liberia, as a successor to his grandfather, Quolliepa Yarkpowolo-Kpoleh, who died over a decade ago, has refused to take charge, as the society has launched a manhunt for him, but his whereabouts are unknown as of yet.
According to his worrisome mother, Norwah Jackson-Gougou, who walked into the offices of this paper early this week, her son, at a tender age, got initiated by force into the society by his grandfather, unknown to them (family).
This was followed by the death of the grandfather’s two sons, which included Theophilus’s father, Daniel Bone Kpoleh, and his brother, Kermue Kpoleh, in 2009, due to mysterious circumstances, still undetermined to this day.
Instead of the old man to make one of his other sons his successor, he chose to initiate his grandson (Theophilus) to succeed him.
When the grandfather died, Theophilus and his mother (Norwah) attended the burial, but thereafter, he became deathly sick, to the extent that he was taken to sick bushes and prayer houses in Bong County, and even as far as neighboring Guinea, but there was little improvement.
Before then, some young men calling themselves ‘Protectors of Bong County’s Tradition’, stormed Theophilus’s mother’s residence in Bong County, demanding that she surrender their priest, so as to take charge of the society, as requested by his grandfather.
It scarcely seems credible that the horror of witchcraft accusations and ritual abuse against girls and boys across the country is emerging again in 2023, and perhaps beyond.
Witchcraft is deep-rooted in many cultures and communities in Liberia and is a powerful influence in the lives of thousands of children across the country. In some counties, witchcraft and associated traditional beliefs are interlinked and deeply valued.
But when those beliefs and values spill over into unspeakable physical and psychological violence against children, Theophilus Kpoleh being a victim, then there is serious cause for concern.
Every year, thousands of children are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual abuse and attacks, crimes “hidden in plain sight.”
Many governments look away, despite being signatories to the African charter on the rights and welfare of the child and the United Nation’s convention on the rights of the child.
Children are subjected to physical and psychological violence, including public humiliation and forced confessions, torture, violent beatings, traditional “cleansing” medicines, expulsion from home and community, and in extreme, cases murder.
The impacts on mental health including isolation, neglect, bullying, victimization and poor self-esteem can be lifelong and life-threatening.
