Understanding the 'KOOKO' syndrome

The practices of traditional medicine vary widely in keeping with the social and cultural heritage of different communities. Attitudes and beliefs that are prevalent in a community regarding physical, mental and social well-being and the causes of diseases are passed on from generation to generation. Traditional medicine thrives on past experience. Descriptions given to various diseases are based on traditional beliefs common and prevalent in a given community. A disease such as ¿Kookö finds a number of descriptions from different cultures in Ghana. The knowledge of its explanation is important because it is based on their social, cultural and religious background. It may not be based on any specific medical classification. It may or may not be precisely defined. This work sought to find the perceptions of three different cultures about ¿Kookö. The three cultures included: Sissala, Asante and Ga. The different perceptions from these cultures once appreciated will give some understanding about ¿Kookö as a disease in Ghana.