Amnesty International Ghana is pressing Parliament to fast-track the passage of the reintroduced Anti-Witchcraft Bill, emphasizing its critical role in protecting vulnerable individuals from harmful accusations and attacks. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Country Director Genevieve Partington expressed optimism that the government is prepared to sign the bill into law once it passes Parliament, signaling growing political will to tackle this pressing issue.
The proposed legislation aims to criminalize witchcraft accusations and establish legal protections for victims, addressing a longstanding social problem that threatens community cohesion and human rights. Ms. Partington highlighted that witch camps—where accused individuals, mainly women, seek refuge—remain plagued by deplorable living conditions, including lack of access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.
Amnesty International is urging the government to improve support systems in these camps and ensure victims’ safe rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The organization also criticized the state’s failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of witchcraft-related violence, a gap that perpetuates cycles of abuse.
By accelerating the bill’s passage and strengthening victim support, Ghana can take a significant step toward ending witchcraft-related human rights violations and promoting social justice.
