On Thursday, Parliament successfully passed a significant amendment to the law, making the act of declaring, accusing, naming, or labeling someone as a witch a criminal offense.

This move aims to address the issue of witch accusations and its associated harmful consequences.

Furthermore, the approved amendment also prohibits individuals from practicing as witch doctors or witchfinders. This step is crucial in curbing the harmful practices and beliefs related to witchcraft in the country.

Speaking in Parliament, Speaker Alban Bagbin explained that the House amended the Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29, “to prohibit the practice by any person as a witch doctor or a witchfinder, to proscribe the declaration, accusation, naming or labelling of another person as a witch and for related matters.”In 2020, a tragic incident occurred in the Savanah region where 90-year-old Madam Akua Denteh was brutally lynched after being falsely accused of witchcraft.

The horrifying incident, during which she was slapped, kicked, and caned, was captured in a viral video.

The incident took place in Kafaba near Salaga, situated in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region.

Following the incident, six individuals, including the Kafaba Chief, Zackaria Yahaya, were arrested for their involvement in this heinous killing. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with many Ghanaians, including President Akufo-Addo, condemning the act.

In 2021, three Members of Parliament, representing the Madina, Pusiga, and Wa East constituencies, introduced a Private Members' Bill aimed at amending the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

Dr. Godfred Seidu Jassaw, the MP for Wa East and one of the sponsors of the bill, expressed his expectation that the president would promptly sign the bill into law.

On the other hand, Francis Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina and a co-sponsor of the bill, revealed that if the bill is passed, it would lead to the disbandment of witches camps nationwide. He further mentioned that the Gender and Social Protection Ministry would take necessary measures to reintegrate the inmates of these camps back into society.