Amnesty International has once again urged Ghana’s government to pass the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, marking six years since the lynching of 90-year-old Akua Dente in Kafaba, Savannah Region. The organization stated that further delays in enacting the bill reflect the authorities’ failure to protect hundreds of individuals accused of witchcraft across the country.
Akua Dente was beaten to death on July 23, 2020, after being accused of witchcraft. A video of the incident showed two women attacking her. In 2023, they were sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter.
In a statement to The Ghanaian Times in Accra, Amnesty International noted that many other women accused of witchcraft have been forced to flee their communities out of fear for their lives. The organization described Akua Dente’s case as “one of the most painful examples of the horrific consequences of witchcraft accusations.” The statement emphasized that the anniversary of her death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prevent further abuses and protect innocent lives.
Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of Songtaba, an Amnesty International partner organization, explained that witchcraft accusations often arise within families or communities, typically following tragic events such as illness or death. She noted that older women, particularly those living in poverty or facing health issues or disabilities, are the most vulnerable. Women who do not conform to traditional gender roles are also at risk.
Adam pointed out that women accused of witchcraft often have no safe refuge except for camps run by religious leaders. While these camps offer some shelter, the living conditions are extremely poor.
Reports on conditions in the camps
Amnesty International’s 2025 report titled “Branded for Life” documented inadequate access to medical care, food, clean water, safe housing, and economic opportunities in these camps. The organization emphasized that international law protects freedom of belief, including belief in witchcraft, but harmful practices associated with such beliefs are not protected and must be regulated by law. Adam stated that witchcraft accusations and related abuses violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life, security, and freedom from discrimination, and should therefore be recognized as criminal offenses.
Legislative process and obstacles
Parliament passed the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill in July 2023, but then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did not sign it, citing constitutional concerns. He noted that the bill was introduced as a private member’s initiative rather than a government proposal. The bill aimed to criminalize witchcraft accusations, provide protection and support for victims, and establish a legal framework for justice and compensation. Since then, the document has not been resubmitted to parliament.
Amnesty International stated that passing the bill would be a crucial step toward protecting victims and ensuring justice. The organization urged authorities to stop delaying the provision of protection, justice, and reparation for those accused of witchcraft. In an April 2025 report, Amnesty International documented conditions in four informal camps where hundreds of people accused of witchcraft, mostly older women, lived with limited access to basic services. According to the organization, additional evidence gathered in April and May 2026 from three camps confirmed a similar situation.
Meanwhile, a petition launched by Amnesty International in November 2025 calling for the passage of the bill has so far gathered nearly 19,000 signatures.
Source: AllAfrica
