Parliament’s Human Rights Committee engages religious leaders to end witchcraft accusations

The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has engaged religious leaders from the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana in a two-day meeting to strengthen efforts to end witchcraft accusations in the country.

The engagement forms part of measures to protect persons accused of witchcraft from violence, discrimination and other human rights abuses.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, the Committee said religious leaders had a significant role to play in addressing the practice, given their influence in communities.

“The Committee believes Religious Leaders are critical Stakeholders whose actions and/or inactions play a critical role and have the ability to either enhance or mitigate the phenomenon of witchcraft accusations,” the statement said.

The Committee warned that witchcraft accusations could have devastating consequences for victims, particularly older persons and other vulnerable people.

It said the practice “often times causes significant adverse changes in the quality of life of accused persons and may lead to their death.”

The Committee added that the passage of the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), and Ghana’s steps towards ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons presented an opportunity to take decisive action.

As part of the engagement, the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana committed to using their influence to promote public awareness and discourage the stigmatisation and persecution of persons accused of witchcraft.

They also pledged to support legislative efforts to address the associated abuses, encourage peaceful and rights-respecting responses to allegations, and promote collaboration among religious leaders, traditional authorities, government institutions and civil society organisations.

The Committee also expressed appreciation to Songtaba Ghana for its partnership and support.

The Committee assured stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to advancing legal protections against witchcraft accusations and related abuses.

“The Committee wishes to assure Stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to ensure the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment), Bill, 2025, as submitted to Parliament in order to guarantee the preservation and protection of the rights of older persons in Ghana,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by Ernest Yaw Anim, Member of Parliament for Kumawu and Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights.