In a tragic echo of centuries-old superstition, Ghana is witnessing a modern-day witch hunt where elderly women—often poor, disabled, or socially marginalized—are accused of witchcraft and subjected to violent abuse, ostracization, and in extreme cases, murder.
A Legacy of Fear and Violence
The alarm was sounded once again on April 14 by Amnesty International, which issued a fresh appeal urging the Ghanaian government to criminalize witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks that continue to plague rural communities.
While Ghana’s parliament passed legislation in 2023 making it a criminal offense to declare or accuse someone of being a witch, the bill has yet to be signed into law and enforced. In the meantime, hundreds of women remain at risk.
“The accusations, which can lead to threats, physical attacks or even death, usually start within the family or among community members following a tragic event such as an illness or a death,” Amnesty stated.
Often based on dreams, suspicions, or misfortune, these accusations target older women living in poverty, with disabilities or those who challenge traditional gender roles.
The Camps of the Accused
Once accused, women are frequently banished from their communities and forced to take refuge in so-called “witch camps,” operated by local priests. These remote camps offer minimal safety, but no government support in the form of food, water, shelter, or medical care.
“People accused of witchcraft are usually banished from their home areas and in Ghana they seek refuge in camps run by traditional priests where they remain until they die or a family member or another community accepts them,” Amnesty noted.
The Legal Vacuum
Despite widespread recognition of the crisis, Ghana’s legal system lacks effective protection for victims. While some progress has been made through proposed legislation, the delay in formal adoption has left women vulnerable.
“The authorities should pass legislation specifically criminalizing witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks,” urged Genevieve Partington, Amnesty’s country director in Ghana. “We need protective measures for potential victims before the next tragedy strikes.”
A Widespread African Challenge
Ghana is not alone. Similar practices persist across West Africa. In Zambia, two men were recently charged for possessing charms allegedly meant to harm the country’s president. These prosecutions, however, highlight a disturbing double standard—while “witches” are hunted, there is little protection for those falsely accused.
The Path Forward
Human rights advocates are calling for:
- Immediate signing and enforcement of Ghana’s 2023 anti-witchcraft bill.
- Protective shelters with government support for accused women.
- Public education campaigns to combat superstition and promote human rights.
- Legal aid and compensation for survivors of witchcraft-related violence.
Conclusion
In 2024, the idea that someone can be attacked, exiled, or killed for being labeled a witch should be a relic of history—not a lived reality. Yet for hundreds of Ghanaian women, it remains a daily threat. Until the law acts decisively and society shifts, the injustice of this modern witch hunt will endure.