The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Kumawu MP Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, has engaged religious leaders from the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana in a renewed effort to end witchcraft accusations and the human rights abuses associated with the practice.

The engagement, held over the past two days, forms part of the Committee’s broader efforts to protect persons accused of witchcraft, particularly older people who often face stigma, discrimination, violence and social exclusion as a result of such allegations.

According to the Committee, religious leaders are critical stakeholders whose actions and inactions can significantly influence public perceptions and responses to witchcraft accusations. It believes their influence within communities can either contribute to the perpetuation of the practice or help mitigate it through education, advocacy and the promotion of human rights.

The Committee further noted that, following the passage of the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), and as Ghana takes steps towards ratifying the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons, the time is ripe for decisive action to end witchcraft accusations.

It warned that such accusations can have devastating consequences for victims, significantly affecting their quality of life and, in some cases, leading to violence and death.

Religious leaders commit to protecting victims

At the end of the engagement, the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana agreed to a series of commitments aimed at strengthening the protection of persons affected by, or at risk of harm from, witchcraft accusations.

The commitments include supporting efforts to safeguard the human rights of victims in accordance with Ghana’s Constitution, established human rights principles and applicable laws.

The religious bodies also pledged to support the legislative process towards the passage of appropriate legislation to prevent and address harmful practices and human rights abuses associated with witchcraft accusations. This will involve constructive engagement with Parliament, the government, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Additionally, the two religious institutions are expected to use their influence and networks to promote public awareness, dialogue and education on the harmful consequences of witchcraft accusations, while encouraging peaceful, non-violent and rights-respecting responses to beliefs and allegations relating to witchcraft.

The commitments further call on pastors, imams, scholars, clerics and other faith leaders to promote human dignity, reject violence and discrimination, and discourage the stigmatisation, persecution and abuse of individuals based on suspicions or allegations of witchcraft.

Call for stronger collaboration and support for survivors

The Committee also emphasised the importance of collaboration among religious leaders, traditional authorities, Parliament, government institutions, civil society organisations, human rights advocates and affected communities to address the underlying social, cultural and structural factors that sustain harmful practices associated with witchcraft accusations.

As part of the agreed commitments, the religious institutions will support continued advocacy and public engagement to ensure the effective implementation of legal and policy measures designed to protect people from violence, discrimination and other forms of abuse.

They also pledged to encourage the protection and support of survivors and persons at risk, including through appropriate referral systems and access to psychosocial, legal, social and other support services, while respecting their dignity, independence and fundamental rights.

The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights expressed appreciation to Songtaba Ghana for its partnership and support in the initiative. It also commended the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Christian Council of Ghana for their willingness to work towards ending witchcraft accusations and the abuses associated with them.

Committee pledges to pursue legislative action

The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as submitted to Parliament, as part of efforts to strengthen legal protections for older persons and others who may be vulnerable to harmful practices linked to witchcraft accusations.

The initiative underscores the need for coordinated action by lawmakers, religious institutions, traditional authorities and civil society to protect vulnerable people and ensure that allegations of witchcraft do not become a justification for violence, discrimination or the denial of fundamental human rights.

Through the engagement, the Committee hopes to build stronger partnerships with religious leaders and other stakeholders to promote public education, protect victims and advance measures to bring an end to witchcraft-related abuses in Ghana.