The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) is set to collaborate with President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to ensure the passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill. This bill seeks to protect individuals from being accused of witchcraft and subjected to harmful practices. By outlawing witchcraft accusations, the proposed law aims to promote a more inclusive and tolerant society while safeguarding individuals from violence, ostracism, and abuse.
The Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Francis-Xavier Sosu, MP for Madina, was initially passed by Parliament on July 28, 2023, as a Private Member’s Bill co-sponsored by NDC lawmakers. However, it failed to secure presidential assent under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who raised concerns about its potential financial implications. Sosu’s efforts marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s legislative process, championing human rights and justice.
CHRAJ is now engaging the Mahama administration to reintroduce the bill under the president’s name instead of as a Private Member’s Bill. This strategic move is expected to eliminate previous roadblocks and smoothen the bill’s path to becoming law. “Our expectation is to engage the new government formally. Initial discussions with key officers have been very favourable,” said Lambert Luguniah, CHRAJ’s National Representative.
By repackaging the bill as a presidential initiative, CHRAJ and the Mahama government hope to secure its approval and establish legal protections against witchcraft accusations. Luguniah expressed optimism about this approach, noting that once the government is fully constituted, the bill will be reintroduced to avoid the challenges encountered during its earlier submission.
