Accra: Human rights advocates and Members of Parliament have renewed pressure on the government to swiftly pass Ghana's Anti-Witchcraft Bill. The stakeholders warned that continued delays expose vulnerable women and girls to violence, banishment, and death across several communities in northern Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the concerns were raised at the Interfaith Dialogue on the Anti-Witchcraft Bill convened by Songtaba with support from Oxfam. This event forms part of the activities to mark the 2026 International Women's Day. The event brought together Members of Parliament, faith leaders, civil society organisations, and state institutions to deliberate on persistent witchcraft-related accusations and the legislative measures needed to curb them.
Ms. Zuwera Ibrahimah, Member of Parliament for Salaga South and Vice Chairperson of the Gender, Children and Social Protection Committee, stated at the event that no financial or administrative concern should outweigh the responsibility of the State to protect vulnerable citizens. She highlighted that accusations against elderly women and schoolgirls showcased the urgency of the bill's passage. Ms. Ibrahimah elaborated that academic excellence, particularly in subjects such as mathematics, had become grounds for branding young girls as witches, forcing some out of school and hindering national development.
Hajia Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of Songtaba, addressed the gathering by pointing out the widespread nature of witchcraft accusations across the country and the existence of designated witch camps in northern Ghana. She explained that despite reintegration efforts, fear of violence persisted among elderly women. Highlighting the severity, she noted cases of women being lynched and a recent incident in Bimbilla where a couple fled from mob attacks. She called for the urgent passage of the bill to prevent further killings and suggested the establishment of specialised courts to expedite related cases.
Hajia Adam provided updated figures indicating that 131 women currently resided at the Ngani Camp, 78 at the Gambaga Camp, and 20 at the Kpatinga (Pasimbana) Camp. Despite about 220 women being reintegrated through civil society interventions, accusations continued unabated.
The Anti-Witchcraft Bill under consideration seeks to criminalise witchcraft accusations, ban witch-hunting practices, including forced exorcisms, and prohibit the operation of alleged witch camps. It also provides for protection mechanisms for survivors, including psychosocial support, safe reintegration, and legal remedies. Provisions within the proposed legislation oblige state institutions to prevent, investigate, and prosecute abuses linked to witchcraft-related practices, in line with Ghana's constitutional guarantees of dignity and personal security.