Accra: The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that the government is considering the adoption of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill, aimed at criminalising accusations of witchcraft in Ghana. This legislative move is being spearheaded by Francis-Xavier Sosu, a human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a parliamentary session on Thursday, Mr Ibrahim detailed the bill's objective to criminalise witchcraft accusations, which continue to be a significant issue in Ghana. The Ministry is actively seeking support from traditional leaders and community stakeholders to combat the practice, while also reviewing existing regional laws to align Ghana's legal framework with international human rights standards.
The Minister highlighted the importance of engaging with stakeholders to harmonise legislation, ensuring stronger protections and the reintegration of victims of such accusations. Despite ongoing advocacy from civil society organisations, witchcraft accusations remain pervasive in many Ghanaian communities, underscoring the urgent need for this legislative reform.
Mr Ibrahim stressed that until the bill is enacted, Ghana lacks a comprehensive national law specifically targeting the criminalisation of witchcraft accusations. He underscored the necessity of inter-ministerial collaboration and the involvement of traditional leaders to protect vulnerable populations effectively.
To ensure the bill's success, Mr Ibrahim stated that the Ministry plans to involve traditional authorities, incorporating their perspectives to promote culturally legitimate and community-accepted reforms. This approach aims to safeguard the dignity and rights of all citizens, while grounding legislative reforms in cultural and community norms.