Women, pastors, and other stakeholders in the Northern Region have called on President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, to urgently sign the pending Anti-Witchcraft Bill into law.
The women believe that once enacted, the bill will help address many challenges, particularly those faced by women in the Northern Region.
This appeal was made during a stakeholder sensitisation programme held at Wulensi in the Nanumba South District, organised by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) under its Access to Justice Project. The event aimed to raise awareness and prepare for the bill’s eventual passage into law.
Witchcraft accusations remain a significant issue in the Northern Region, where women are often the most vulnerable. Accused women frequently face inhumane treatment, including banishment to remote camps or, in extreme cases, being killed.
Currently, six such camps exist in the region, located in places like Gnani in the Yendi Municipality, Kukuo in the Nanumba South District, Gambaga in the North East Region, Gushegu, and the Savannah Region.
To address these injustices, a Private Member’s Bill, spearheaded by Francis Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina, was passed earlier this year. However, it is yet to be assented to by the president.
At the Wulensi engagement, women and other stakeholders passionately appealed to Mr Mahama to sign the bill into law without delay.
A participant of the programme highlighted the challenges faced by accused women and the burden it places on the community, stating that “Life at the camp is not good at all. What to eat and where to sleep and even potable good drinking water is a challenge. They are going through a lot; life is hell for them.
“So, we are appealing to the President especially the incoming president to as a matter of urgency assent to the bill to be law. I think this will go a long way to reduce the suffering.”
Another also supported the call, emphasising the moral and societal importance of the bill’s enactment.
“The cause of this witchcraft in the Northern sector here is soothsaying. They practice soothsaying accusing elderly women of being witches then the community rises with machetes and sticks against the person. They drive the person to the camps. So, if the bill becomes law, it will help. Thus, we are appealing to the incoming president to sign it,” he stated.
The CHRAJ Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Whittal elaborated on the commission’s efforts to promote justice and expressed optimism that the incoming president would sign the bill into law. He outlined the significant relief the legislation would bring to affected women.
“If it becomes law, it will not be effective unless and until the community buy into it and can bring forth cases to the law enforcement agencies,”
Many women in the camps face severe hardship, including limited access to basic necessities like food and water. Stakeholders believe that enacting the Anti-Witchcraft Bill will help alleviate their suffering and restore their dignity.
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Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira
