The government is considering the adoption of the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill, a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by the Member of Parliament for Madina, Mr Francis-Xavier Sosu, to criminalise witchcraft accusations in the country.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, said the passage of the Bill would establish a clear legal framework to address witchcraft accusations, which remain a concern in some communities.
He made this known when he updated Parliament on measures being implemented by the Ministry to engage traditional authorities and other stakeholders on the issue.
Mr Ibrahim said despite sustained advocacy from civil society organisations and other stakeholders for the Bill to be expedited, incidents linked to witchcraft accusations were still being reported in parts of the country.
He noted that Ghana currently does not have a specific national law that directly criminalises witchcraft accusations, adding that the proposed legislation would help address the gap.
The Minister said the Ministry was collaborating with development partners and traditional leaders to promote dialogue on the issue and incorporate their perspectives into the legislative process.
He stressed that the involvement of chiefs and community leaders was critical to ensuring that reforms are culturally grounded and widely accepted.
According to him, expected outcomes include a reduction in witchcraft-related stigma and violence, improved protection for vulnerable persons, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Mr Ibrahim further indicated that the Ministry was working to review existing witchcraft-related laws within the sub-region to align Ghana’s legal framework with international human rights standards.
On a separate matter, the Minister said the Ministry would proceed with due process in upgrading 12 districts and municipalities to metropolitan status, and 20 districts to municipal status, following presidential approval of recommendations from the Committee for the Elevation of Districts.
He explained that the relevant Legislative Instrument (L.I.) had not yet been laid before Parliament, as the process was still under consideration by the Office of the President.
Mr Ibrahim said once approval was granted, the Ministry would complete the statutory procedures, including laying the L.I. in Parliament for consideration and passage.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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