Stop Calling People Witches – Human Rights Committee Chairperson Warns Pastors, Imams, Fetish Priests

Religious leaders have been urged to stop labeling individuals as witches in order to comply with the reintroduced Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, has said.

Hon. Anim, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and sits on the Public Accounts Committee speaking in an interview with the media said, pastors, imams, and fetish priests must desist from declaring people to be under witchcraft.

He made the comments during an interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5FM Parliamentary Correspondent, Bohyeba K Afriye after filing a parliamentary question to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, on the bill.

“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 bill will ensure that as well,” Hon. Anim said.

*Protecting the vulnerable*

The MP explained that the bill seeks to protect elderly men and women who are often victimized by witchcraft accusations.

He noted that Ghana’s Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill — officially the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023 — was reintroduced to Parliament after lapsing in the previous session.

The bill explicitly criminalizes accusing, naming, or labeling individuals as witches, and prohibits operating as a witch doctor or witch finder.

*Bill’s importance*

Hon. Anim stressed the impact of witchcraft accusations on victims and said the legislation would benefit both individuals and society.

He emphasized the need for the new law to take effect to curb the practice and safeguard vulnerable persons.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is expected to respond to Hon. Anim’s question in Parliament.