The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights convened a two‑day meeting with religious leaders from the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana on Thursday, October 22. The session aimed to strengthen efforts to end witchcraft accusations across the country and protect accused persons from violence, discrimination and other human rights abuses.
In a statement released by the Committee, chairperson Ernest Yaw Anim, MP for Kumawu, highlighted the critical role religious leaders play in addressing the practice. “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 read.
Anim warned that witchcraft accusations can have devastating consequences, especially for older persons and other vulnerable groups, often leading to significant adverse changes in quality of life and even death.
The Committee noted that the passage of the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), and Ghana’s progress toward ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons create an opportunity for decisive action. It also pledged to advance legal protections, including the Criminal Offences (Amendment), Bill, 2025, to safeguard older persons’ rights.
During the engagement, the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana committed to using their influence to promote public awareness, discourage stigma and persecution, support legislative efforts, encourage peaceful and rights‑respecting responses, and foster collaboration among religious leaders, traditional authorities, government institutions and civil society organisations.
The Committee expressed appreciation to Songtaba Ghana for its partnership and support, and assured stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to advancing legal protections against witchcraft accusations and related abuses.
Moving forward, the Committee will continue to work with religious and community leaders to ensure the passage of the proposed bill and to protect the rights of those most at risk.
