Ghana criminalizes witchcraft accusations but fails to ensure protection for victims
- In Ghana, belief in witchcraft leads to rampant accusations, especially against older women, resulting in severe human rights abuses.
- Amnesty International reported that victims often reside in unsanitary camps while facing threats and violence from their communities.
- With the Ghanaian parliament's recent bill criminalizing witchcraft accusations yet to be signed into law, the situation for victims remains precarious and urgent.
In Ghana, hundreds of people, primarily older women, are accused of witchcraft and face severe human rights abuses, including murder. Reports from Amnesty International indicate that these accusations typically arise after tragic events in communities, such as illness or death, and are often based on deeply entrenched beliefs surrounding witchcraft. Individuals targeted often face threats, violence, and social ostracism, leading many to escape to makeshift camps lacking essential resources. As of early 2024, these camps housed over 500 people, mostly women over 50, who live in dire conditions without adequate access to food, water, or medical care. In response to these heinous acts, the Ghanaian parliament passed a bill in 2023 aimed at making it a criminal offense to declare someone as a witch, but the bill has yet to be signed into law by the president. While some government authorities express support for further anti-witchcraft legislation, the immediate needs of the victims remain largely unmet. Amnesty International argues that without legal reinforcement and protection measures, the cycle of violence, discrimination, and societal exclusion will likely continue. The ongoing human rights crisis in Ghana illustrates a broader issue of discrimination against marginalized groups, particularly the elderly women who are often the victims of these accusations. Personal grievances, poverty, and gender norms contribute to the targeting of these individuals, victimizing them based on unfounded claims. Despite reports of these abuses, the government's response has been criticized for its inadequacy, with calls from human rights organizations urging for comprehensive reform, education initiatives, and better living conditions for those affected. as accusations persist and conditions in the refugee camps remain dire, the urgent need for protection and rehabilitation programs becomes increasingly evident. Amnesty International continues to emphasize the necessity of a robust legal framework specifically criminalizing witchcraft accusations alongside plans for supporting and reintegrating victims back into society. Without action, countless individuals remain susceptible to ongoing violence, discrimination, and neglect as a direct consequence of deeply rooted beliefs and social norms surrounding witchcraft in Ghana.