Ghana Urgently Needs Legislation to Shield Witchcraft Accusers DATELINE: Accra, Ghana – LEAD: In a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those accused of witchcraft in Ghana, the brutal killing of 90-year-old Akua Denteh in 2020 has reignited calls for the urgent passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill. Despite a 2023 manslaughter conviction for the women seen beating Denteh in a video, the lack of legal protection for victims of witchcraft accusations remains a pressing issue in the West African nation. NUT GRAF: The Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, proposed to criminalize witchcraft accusations and protect victims, has yet to be enacted, leaving many at risk.
Amnesty International has slammed the Ghanaian authorities for failing to protect victims by delaying the bill’s passage, while the Ghana Legal Information Institute offers a platform for legal information but provides no updates on the bill’s progress. Accra, Ghana – The tragic death of Akua Denteh, who was lynched to death in her home village of Kafaba after being accused of witchcraft, has once again highlighted the need for legislation to safeguard against such accusations. Although the two women seen beating Denteh in a video were sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter in 2023, the lack of legal protection for victims of witchcraft accusations persists.
Amnesty International has been vocal in its criticism of the Ghanaian authorities, stating that they have failed in their duty to protect hundreds of victims of witchcraft accusations by delaying the passage of the Anti — Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
The organization has called for the bill to be signed into law, emphasizing its importance in preventing further violence and ensuring the rights of accused individuals.
The Ghana Legal Information Institute (GhaLII) provides a platform for accessing legal information, but it does not indicate any progress on the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
The lack of information on the bill’s status raises concerns about its potential enactment and the protection it could offer to victims. Despite the existence of platforms like GhaLII, which aims to promote access to legal information, the absence of progress on the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill underscores the need for a comprehensive legal framework to address the issue of witchcraft accusations in Ghana.
The bill’s proposed provisions to criminalize witchcraft accusations and provide protection for victims could significantly reduce the violence and fatalities associated with such accusations.
As the situation stands, those accused of witchcraft in Ghana remain vulnerable to mob violence and even death.
The delay in passing the Anti — Witchcraft Accusations Bill leaves a gaping hole in the legal protection of these individuals, as seen in the tragic case of Akua Denteh. Amnesty International’s call for the passage of the bill reflects the urgency of the situation.
The organization has emphasized the need for a legal framework that can prevent further violence and ensure the rights of accused individuals. With the bill still pending, the Ghanaian government must act swiftly to protect its citizens from the devastating effects of witchcraft accusations. KICKER: The fate of the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill remains uncertain, but the urgent need for legislation to protect victims of witchcraft accusations in Ghana cannot be ignored.
As the nation grapples with this issue, the international community and local activists continue to advocate for the bill’s passage, hoping to bring an end to the violence and fatalities associated with witchcraft accusations in Ghana.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: france24 – Africa
Source: Clarisse FORTUNÉ
