Trokosi
Trokosi refers to a traditional slavery-like practice that is widespread in parts of the West African countries of Ghana , Togo and Benin . The estimated 5,000 affected by this practice are also called Trokosi (also Voodoosi in Benin and Togo ).
Here, mostly five to ten year old girls (significantly less often boys) are given to the priests of shrines in order to avert misfortune and sins from the family and / or to make the gods merciful. The Trokosi must serve the priests, work hard without pay, and are sexually exploited. They are denied schooling. If a Trokosi girl escapes or dies, she must be replaced by another girl in the family.
The term Trokosi is derived from the Ewe words tro (deity or fetish ) and kosi (slave).
Trokosi slavery is prohibited in the countries concerned. This practice in Ghana is punished with three years in prison. However, it still persists in some areas; a case has never come to court. Non-governmental organizations that oppose this practice have so far obtained the release of around 2,000 trokosi.