The Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, has cautioned pastors, imams and traditional priests against accusing people of witchcraft, saying such conduct could attract sanctions under the reintroduced Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
Speaking to journalists after filing a parliamentary question to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, the Kumawu MP said the proposed legislation seeks to end the long-standing practice of branding individuals as witches.
According to him, if passed, the bill will make it an offence to accuse, name or label any person as a witch, regardless of whether the accusation is made in a church, mosque, shrine or any other setting.
“If spiritual leaders are prevented from calling others witches in their churches, mosques or shrines, then we can have peace in the country, and the new Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill will ensure that as well,” he said.
Mr Anim explained that the legislation is intended to protect vulnerable people, particularly elderly women and men who are often subjected to abuse, discrimination and violence after being accused of practising witchcraft.
He noted that the bill, officially known as the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was reintroduced in Parliament after it lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Parliament.
Beyond criminalising witchcraft accusations, the proposed law also seeks to prohibit the operation of witch doctors and witch finders who claim to identify or expose alleged witches.
The MP appealed to chiefs, religious leaders and other influential members of society to support efforts to eliminate witchcraft accusations and protect vulnerable persons from abuse.
He stressed that the passage of the bill would mark a significant step towards safeguarding human rights and promoting peaceful coexistence in communities across the country.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is expected to respond to Mr Anim’s parliamentary question when the matter is taken up in the House.
