Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Advocate Joseph Whittal, is urging the government to accelerate the passage of the anti-witchcraft bill.

He emphasized the urgency of this legislative action, pointing to the hardships faced by women labeled as witches who endure assault and stigma.

Whittal made these remarks during the commemoration of International Human Rights Day 2023, organized by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

The event, held on December 11, 2023, focused on the theme, “The 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Implications for Human Rights Protection in Ghana.”

In his address, Whittal highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by individuals accused of witchcraft and emphasized the need for legal measures to protect their rights and dignity.

“Our concern now is what the president has indicated that he has constitutional concerns, but he has no problem with the content of the bill. Our problem as a Commission is, can the president speed up, whatever he will do to bring that bill to Parliament whether it is through the Attorney General, or however he intends to. The women cannot afford any further delay.”

Parliament has successfully passed the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, commonly referred to as the anti-witchcraft bill. The primary objective of this legislation is to criminalize attacks on individuals accused of being witches.

However, on November 27, 2023, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, criticized President Akufo-Addo for not communicating his position on the bill to Parliament within the expected timeframe for review and assent.

In a letter sent to Parliament on Monday, December 4, President Akufo-Addo conveyed that he cannot provide his assent to the three bills, including the anti-witchcraft bill, until constitutional issues related to them are resolved.