The State of Life in Ghanaian Alleged Witches Camps Under Covid -19 Pandemic

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) as a global pandemic stroked Ghana On March 12, 2020. In the course of the outbreak of the disease, Ghana recorded a total of over 95,059 cases as at June 212021. Death rate was over 794 deaths, representing close to 4% of the total affected persons. In the interim the personal dynamism required to counter the forces of the extreme case of covid 19 was far too great for human frame. As results, several aspects of human life were affected. These included their social, economic, political and cultural life.

Tindan Zee Yili is an alleged witch camp situated in Kpatinga, a suburb of Gushegu district in the Northern Region of Ghana. A thorough investigation was conducted in Tindan Zee Yili alleged witch camp to ascertain how they are faring amid the covid 19 pandemic. Diverse opinions were sorted from different women in the camp to get their views on the pandemic and how it affected the different aspects of their livelihood. Multiple responses from different women conducted are enlisted below;

Mayama Neindow: I am 95 years old. The Corona virus pandemic has doubled our misery in this camp. Our survival here in the camp is dependent on donations from organizations and individuals, but because of the pandemic, the number of people who used to support the camp has drastically decreased. There are days when we don’t have enough food to eat, but this was not the case prior to the pandemic. Also we used to be supported with transportation to hospitals in time of ill health or transport to market centre to purchase commodities. These favors are no longer at our disposal. These days when you sick, it is either you recover naturally by God’s grace or you die.

Meeli Abdullai: I am 56 years Old. Life at the camp has become extremely difficult since the outbreak of the pandemic. We no longer interact with one another. Because we don’t know where the virus is, everyone now lives in their own little world. Despite the challenges we are facing as a result of the pandemic, the government has failed to provide assistance. We have not gotten any kind of response or assistance from the authorities to help us avoid contracting the ailment of the pandemic.

Hazara Alhassan; we are appealing to the general public and the government for food and clothing. As you can see, we don’t have any proper clothing; therefore we’re appealing to our friends to remember us. They’ve been wonderful to us over the years, and this is the time we really need their assistance.

In conclusion, life in the alleged witch camp has been hit by the Covid 19 pandemic and therefore the need for responsible stakeholders to intervene in supporting their livelihood.

Source: (Sulemana Hibbatullah Wumpini and Prince Barak, students’ journalists and children and women rights activists.)