Taken here as gbeshi, a Ga concept of an element of the person, described as a personal fate or ill luck that follows a person. Adjei (2006), citing Joyce Engmann, notes that socially unacceptable behaviour not attributable to family or heredity may be put down to gbeshi. Zimmermann (1858) records gbesi as 'the inward voice, whether bad or good'.
His elders blamed his repeated misfortunes on his gbeshie.