In a renewed push to end witchcraft-related violence, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called on Parliament to urgently pass the Anti-Witchcraft Bill, cautioning that continued delays could result in more abuse, especially in Ghana’s rural areas.
CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal made the appeal during a forum held on Wednesday, July 23, to commemorate five years since the lynching of Akua Denteh, a victim of a witchcraft accusation in the Northern Region. He was joined by several civil society organizations in demanding swift legislative action to protect vulnerable citizens.
“The bill is long overdue,” Mr. Whittal said. “Why don’t you allow the bill to pass, and then anybody who thinks there is a basis for challenging it can take it to the Supreme Court?”
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially considering that Ghana’s current president hails from a region where most witchcraft allegations originate.
The renewed call follows a disturbing incident in Anhwiesu in the Central Region, which occurred on July 22. In that case, an 11-year-old girl and three elderly women were accused of engaging in spiritual attacks.
According to local accounts, the young girl, a primary six student, was accused by a classmate who claimed to possess supernatural abilities. The classmate alleged that the girl had spiritually “tied” two other students and collaborated with the older women to harm a teacher.
This triggered a community-led exorcism ritual, where a fetish priest declared that he had “seen” the girl’s spiritual misconduct. The child was forced to undergo the ritual, while the three elderly women, who strongly denied the accusations, refused to participate.
CHRAJ believes that had the Anti-Witchcraft Bill been enacted, such abuses could have been prevented. The commission said the bill would serve not only as a deterrent but as a clear declaration of Ghana’s commitment to uphold human dignity and protect the innocent.
“The passage of this bill is about saving lives and restoring justice,” Whittal said. He added that society must move away from fear-driven persecution rooted in superstition.
Advocates argue that legal backing is the only effective way to stop witch camps and public accusations, which have led to deaths, social ostracization, and psychological trauma, particularly for women and the elderly.
