The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged President Akufo-Addo to promptly sign the Anti-Witchcraft Bill, which was passed by Parliament about nine months ago.

CHRAJ emphasized that the bill, once enacted, would directly address witchcraft allegations and attacks in the country.

Mr. Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner for CHRAJ, made this appeal during a National Policy Dialogue on Access to Justice for Women Accused as Witches in Ghana, jointly organized by CHRAJ and Crossroads International.

He highlighted that the absence of a concrete law to penalize individuals involved in witchcraft allegations and attacks has perpetuated these harmful practices in certain regions of the country.

“The practice is still ongoing on the ground and the main instrument to cease or force the practice to come to an end is the deterrence of the Bill,” he stressed.

Mr. Whittal emphasized the need to abolish customs and traditions that violate the constitutional rights of individuals.

He mentioned that CHRAJ has been actively engaging with traditional leaders to prevent discrimination against vulnerable people and to ensure that their rights are not violated under the guise of tradition.

CHRAJ has also been working to engage with individuals who have been accused of witchcraft.

Mr. Whittal urged District Assemblies in areas where witch camps are located to take full responsibility for the welfare of the inmates.

On July 28, 2023, Ghana's Parliament passed the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The purpose of the bill is to amend the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Acts 29) to prohibit the practice of witch doctors or witch finders, and to outlaw the declaration, accusation, naming, or labeling of another person as a witch.

The Private Member’s Bill was sponsored by Mr. Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, along with other sponsors including Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, NDC MP for Pusiga; Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, NDC MP for Wa East; Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, NDC MP for Krachi West; and Madam Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah, NDC MP for Afram Plains North.

Witch camps are settlements where women accused of witchcraft are kept for safety, often due to reasons such as mental health problems.