Amnesty International has issued a strong call to the Ghanaian government to take immediate action to protect hundreds of individuals, predominantly women, who are being subjected to severe human rights abuses due to accusations of witchcraft. In a statement released on Monday, the rights organization stressed the dangers faced by these individuals, particularly older women, and demanded that the government criminalize witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks.
The organization’s urgent appeal comes after Ghana’s parliament passed a bill in 2023 that would make it a criminal offense to accuse or label someone as a witch. However, this bill has yet to be signed into law, leaving many vulnerable individuals at risk of violence, persecution, and even death.
According to Amnesty International, witchcraft accusations often arise in the wake of personal tragedies, such as a death or illness, and can be instigated by family members or local community members. These accusations frequently lead to violent attacks, ostracism, and, in some cases, even death.
Amnesty has pointed out that certain groups, particularly older women, are disproportionately affected by these witchcraft accusations. Many of these women live in poverty and may have health conditions or disabilities, which make them more vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Women who do not conform to traditional gender roles are also more likely to be targeted.
In many cases, the accusations of witchcraft are based on flimsy or unsubstantiated claims, such as dreams or bad omens. These accusations are not only harmful but are often rooted in deeply ingrained cultural beliefs about witchcraft, which remain prevalent in many rural communities across West Africa, including Ghana.
“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,” said Amnesty International in its statement.
The rights group further noted that the majority of victims of witchcraft accusations come from marginalized communities, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions of Ghana. These individuals, often elderly women, are frequently ostracized from their communities and are forced to seek refuge in camps managed by traditional priests.
However, the conditions in these camps are dire. The accused individuals often face extreme hardship, with little access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. The camps provide no long-term solution, and many of the individuals accused of witchcraft either die in these camps or are taken in by family members or other communities.
“The government has failed to provide adequate protection for these vulnerable individuals,” said Genevieve Partington, Amnesty’s Country Director in Ghana. “The authorities should pass legislation specifically criminalizing witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks, including protective measures for potential victims.”
Amnesty International has urged the government to take urgent action, calling for the criminalization of witchcraft accusations, improved protection for victims, and better conditions for those residing in the camps.
In addition to legal reforms, Amnesty also emphasized the need for a comprehensive public awareness campaign in vulnerable regions. This campaign should educate communities about the dangers and harms of witchcraft accusations and encourage the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly elderly women, from such persecution. The rights group also called for greater access to basic necessities like food, housing, and clean water for those forced to live in camps due to witchcraft accusations.
Partington, who is also a member of the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations, pointed to the tragic lynching of a 90-year-old woman in northern Ghana in 2020 as a key moment that galvanized the fight against witchcraft accusations. The incident, which highlighted the deadly consequences of such accusations, led to the formation of the Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations to advocate for the protection of the accused and ensure such violence is stopped.
The issue of witchcraft accusations and related violence is not confined to Ghana. In neighboring Guinea-Bissau, eight women were accused of causing the deaths of two sick boys in 2024. The women were forced to drink poison, and they died as a result. Similarly, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, two elderly women were publicly stoned and burned after being accused of causing multiple deaths.
These incidents are part of a disturbing regional trend across West and Central Africa, where accusations of witchcraft continue to be used as justification for horrific acts of violence, particularly against vulnerable women.
Leo Igwe, the founder of the Nigeria-based non-profit Advocacy for Alleged Witches, noted that these events reflect broader societal issues. “This is a reflection of how we treat elderly people,” Igwe said in a statement to AFP. He pointed out that the mistreatment of elderly women accused of witchcraft is a clear indication of how societies in these regions still harbor deeply entrenched gender biases and discriminatory attitudes.
Samadu Sayibu of the Ghanaian rights group Songtaba also highlighted the intersection of gender, poverty, and witchcraft accusations. He pointed out that these incidents shed light on the vulnerability of certain groups in society, particularly those who are already marginalized or impoverished.
Amnesty International’s report urges both the Ghanaian government and local authorities to take immediate steps to protect individuals accused of witchcraft. This includes passing legislation that criminalizes witchcraft accusations, providing adequate protection for victims, and improving the living conditions of those forced to live in witchcraft camps.
“The failure of the Ghanaian government to act on this issue is putting the lives of many vulnerable individuals at risk,” said Partington. “It is essential that the government ensures these victims are protected from harm and that those who make unfounded witchcraft accusations are held accountable.”
The international rights group continues to push for urgent reform in Ghana’s legal system and a broader shift in societal attitudes to ensure that those accused of witchcraft are no longer subjected to violence, discrimination, and abuse.
