Government mulls anti-witchcraft bill to criminalise accusations
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has revealed that the government is actively considering the adoption of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to criminalize the act of accusing individuals of witchcraft in Ghana.
The private member’s bill, sponsored by human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, seeks to criminalize witchcraft accusations as its primary objective. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Minister explained that the Ministry is mobilizing support from traditional leaders and community stakeholders to address the pervasive issue of witchcraft accusations, while simultaneously reviewing existing witchcraft-related laws within the sub-region to align Ghana’s legal framework with international human rights standards.
The Minister emphasized that stakeholder engagement is expected to harmonize legislation and ensure stronger protection and reintegration mechanisms for victims of such accusations. Despite persistent calls from civil society organizations to expedite the bill’s passage, witchcraft accusations continue to occur in Ghanaian communities, highlighting the urgent need for legislative intervention.
“It is important to note that until this Bill is enacted, Ghana lacks a comprehensive national law specifically criminalizing witchcraft accusations,” the Minister stated. He underscored the significance of inter-ministerial collaboration and the pivotal role of traditional leaders in safeguarding vulnerable populations from harm arising from such allegations.
The Ministry plans to engage traditional authorities to incorporate their perspectives into the bill’s formulation and promote community-based interventions as part of a holistic approach. As the Minister aptly put it, “By rallying the voices of traditional authorities, legislative reforms will be grounded in cultural legitimacy and community acceptance, while protecting the dignity and rights of all citizens.”
Efforts to address harmful traditional practices through legislation echo recent calls for justice reform in other areas, such as the push to strengthen victim support in defilement cases (/defilement-case-highlights-need-for-justice-reform-and-victim-support-in-ghana).
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