We must pass witchcraft bill to protect vulnerable women – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has renewed his call for the passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill, stressing that urgent legal protection is needed to safeguard vulnerable women particularly the elderly who continue to suffer abuse and violence due to witchcraft accusations.

Speaking at a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations, the President said Ghana cannot continue to allow superstition and cultural misconceptions to result in human rights violations and loss of lives.

He stated that the time had come for Parliament to act decisively on the bill to ensure stronger protection for accused persons and to deter communities from engaging in harmful practices.

“We must pass this Anti-Witchcraft Bill to protect vulnerable women and ensure that no one is subjected to violence or banishment on the basis of accusations of witchcraft,” he said.

President Mahama noted that many of the accusations are often rooted in misunderstandings about health conditions, infertility, and illness, rather than any factual basis, adding that education and improved access to healthcare are key to addressing the problem.

“In many of these cases, what people attribute to witchcraft is actually a medical issue. We need to strengthen public education and encourage people to seek proper medical care,” he added.

He referenced past tragic incidents in parts of the country where accused women were assaulted or killed, describing such occurrences as unacceptable in a modern democratic society governed by the rule of law.

According to him, the proposed legislation is intended not only to punish perpetrators of violence but also to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors who have been banished to so-called witches’ camps.

The President further acknowledged that the bill had previously gone through Parliament but was not assented to at the time, causing it to lapse, and said government is prepared to re-engage stakeholders to address any outstanding concerns.

Civil society groups at the dialogue welcomed the renewed commitment, urging swift action to ensure the bill is passed and enforced to prevent further abuses.

The Anti-Witchcraft Bill, once enacted, is expected to criminalize harmful practices linked to witchcraft accusations and strengthen legal protections for affected individuals across the country.