The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called on President Akufo-Addo to address any legal concerns he may have with the Anti-Witchcraft Bill and sign it into law.
In an advisory opinion on the Criminal Offences Bill, 2023 [Anti-Witchcraft Bill], CHRAJ’s Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Whittal, stressed the importance of resolving any constitutional issues to enhance the protection of vulnerable groups and uphold Ghana’s human rights record.
According to the advisory report, the culture of witchcraft accusations and the existence of witch camps in Ghana have had a detrimental impact on the rights of Ghanaian women and tarnished the country’s international reputation. CHRAJ highlighted the need for urgent measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of elderly women accused of witchcraft, emphasizing the importance of upholding fundamental human rights in a democratic society.
The Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which prohibits practices related to witchcraft accusations and the labeling of individuals as witches, was passed by Ghana’s Parliament on July 28, 2023. The bill, initially sponsored by Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu and other NDC MPs, aims to eliminate the activities of witch doctors and witch finders.
However, President Akufo-Addo has expressed reservations about signing private members’ bills into law if they impose a financial burden on the Consolidated Fund. He stated that such proposals should originate from the Executive branch, including the bill sponsored by Mr. Sosu to abolish the death penalty and address witchcraft accusations.
In light of these developments, CHRAJ’s call for action highlights the need to prioritize the protection of human rights and eliminate harmful practices that perpetuate discrimination and stigmatization in Ghanaian society.
