Cattle sacrifices ensure safety on Mole River

Traditional practices such as cattle sacrifices to a river goddess at Mongnori, a town bordering the Mole River in the Northern Region, is believed to ward off accidents on the water resource. The leader of Mongnori, which is located at the end of the river slaughters a cattle to perform the annual sacrifice to the goddess and shares the traditional food amongst the about 350 people in the  village.

The practice is believed to please the river goddess, who in turn ensures absolute safety for people travelling on the river including tourists.

Chairman of the Canoe Paddlers Association at Mongnori Eco Village, Mr Charles Kwame Lionman who made this known to Ghana News Agency at Mongnori, said because of the sacrifices, no disaster had been recorded since 2006.

He said even though the Management of the Mole National Park had provided life jackets to ensure safety on the river, the inhabitants do not use them.

Most tourists to the Mole National Park proceed to the Mongnori Eco Village, which is about 15 kilometres away, to partake in a canoe ride adventure.

Some of the residents also cross the river on canoes to Wa to transact business almost on daily basis.

Vice Chairman of Mongnori Eco Village Tourism Association, Mr Kwadwo Anawura, said most tourists prefer to go on the adventure without life jackets but added that sometimes some of them expressed apprehension.  


Source: GNA