The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged President Akufo-Addo to address his reservations regarding the Anti-Witchcraft Bill and to provide his approval.

The Anti-Witchcraft Bill, officially referred to as the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, represents a significant legislative step in Ghana.

This bill aims to amend the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Acts 29) to criminalize witch doctoring and witch finding. It also prohibits the act of declaring, accusing, naming, or branding someone as a witch.

Proposed by Francis-Xavier Sosu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Madina, along with other NDC legislators, the bill was approved by Parliament on July 28, 2023.

It is seen as a crucial initiative to address the dangers associated with witchcraft accusations and to protect vulnerable individuals from such practices.

CHRAJ has called on President Akufo-Addo to “take urgent steps including legislative steps that will resolve any constitutional concerns raised by H.E the President in order to assent to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023 (Anti-Witchcraft Bill) to further enhance the protection of this vulnerable group and the consolidation of Ghana’s human rights record.”