The Committee on Human Rights of the Parliament of Ghana has urged the government to take immediate action to facilitate the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
This appeal was articulated in a statement released to commemorate the World Day Against Witch Hunts on February 10, as the committee aligned itself with the global community in denouncing accusations of witchcraft and associated abuses.
In the statement, the committee praised individuals, non-profit organizations, and governments around the world for their ongoing efforts to eliminate witchcraft accusations and witch hunts both in Ghana and elsewhere.
It expressed hope that, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the government would prioritize the bill’s passage during the tenure of the 9th Parliament to safeguard the rights of vulnerable individuals, especially elderly women.
“The Committee on Human Rights remains hopeful that the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, will take prompt measures to ensure the passage/enactment of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, also known as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, to ensure the protection and preservation of the rights of all such vulnerable individuals, particularly those of vulnerable elderly women in Ghana,” the statement indicated.
The committee reaffirmed its support and dedication to victims of witch hunts, characterizing the practice as a breach of multiple provisions of the 1992 Constitution, including Articles 12, 13, 14, 15, 17(2), and 21(2).
It also highlighted violations of international laws and treaties, including the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
The statement additionally revealed that the Committee on Human Rights will, in the upcoming weeks, conduct a monitoring visit to all witch camps in Ghana as part of its efforts to uphold the rights and dignity of those affected.
The document was endorsed by Ernest Yaw Anim, the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights.
