Whiles we await the passage of anti-Witch Hunting Bill, let’s use existing laws to prosecute witch hunters — NGO

The Executive Director of Rise Ghana has said while awaiting the law to be passed the country should use existing laws to prosecute witch hunters in the Northern parts of the country.

Ahmed Awal Kariama is of the opinion that the delay in passing the anti-Witch Hunting Bill is partly to blame for the non-cessation of witch-hunting in the area.

He noted that the inhumane treatment meted out to suspected witches in the area is backward and needs to be stopped as soon as possible.

Sharing his opinion on the canker with Israel Laryea and Animwaa Addo on 'AM Show' on the Joy News channel, the Rise Ghana Executive Director also called for intensified media focus on the practice.

He said strong media engagement in naming and shaming persons caught in assaulting suspected witches will help minimise the situation.

About 1,000 women lived in “witch camps” in the Northern part of Ghana. Many of them ended up in the witch camps due to fears of being lynched when they return to their villages after they have been accused of witchcraft.

It is widely known that the communities where women are accused of witchcraft have a lot to do with sexism and misogyny.

These victims such as older women, single mothers, widows and unmarried women suffer the worst part of the practice. Furthermore, they do not have a male authority figure to protect them, hence it is easy for the communities to cast them out.

This Ahmed Awal Kariama is of the opinion that naming and shaming those persons would reduce the menace.

He also called for a multi-pronged approach including engaging some traditional and religious authorities and a strong will from persons in authority in fighting the canker.