The Dipo Ceremony is an initiation rite to mark the coming of age of young females in their adolescence. For many Ghanaian cultures, it is one of the most significant events in an individual’s life. This type of initiation rite is mostly practiced in most Ghanaian traditional cultures. The events that mark this occasion however differ from place to place. The Akans call it the “Bragoro” whiles the Ga-Adangmes call it the “Dipo”.

The Dipo celebration is seen as an out-dooring of the young girls in the community and until it is performed they are forbidden from having sex with a man or getting married. The average age for the celebration of this initiation rite has drastically reduced in the past years. In the olden days a girl must have gone through her first menstruation experience in order to qualify to be a part of this event. Nowadays however girls who haven’t attained that status are being presented by their parents for these rites to be performed. One other change which is worthy of note is the reduction in the duration of the Dipo celebrations. It used to be an occasion that spanned two months or even more but nowadays only a few days are spent on the celebration.

Before the commencement of the Dipo rites, the presiding fetish priest is to verify the virginity of the participating females. If an absence of chastity is ever uncovered by the fetish priest during the celebration, the family concerned will be put to shame before the whole community and also charged with a fine to be used for purification purposes. The duration for Dipo has however reduced due to the families’ complaints regarding the expenses involved. As such nowadays the celebration takes not more than a week.