Witchcraft Accusations Project

In the wake of a public lynching of an old lady on accusation of witchcraft in July in Northern Ghana and several women banished into so-called witch-camps in the Northern and North East Regions, The Sanneh Institute has launched a project to address the issue with the ultimate goal of closing down the camps and reintegrating the victims back into their communities. The Project is in three phases:

• Education: TSI undertakes sensitization of the public on the harmful effects of witchcraft accusations. Seminars are held for religious leaders and publications undertaken in local media for the purpose. Work is underway to commission experts for the production of teaching manuals on witchcraft from the Christian and Islamic perspectives. These will be used for education in schools, churches, and mosques.
• Legislation: In a direct response to TSI’s petition to parliament, a bill has been introduced in Parliament to criminalize witchcraft accusations and witch-hunting in Ghana. TSI is working closely with three parliamentarians who are sponsors of the bill, and with the Desk of Gender and Development at the Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana to see to the passing of the bill.
• Reintegration: TSI uses the information gathered from its research to lobby traditional rulers and relevant government ministries and agencies for the reintegration of victims banished to the so-called witch camps in the Northern and Northeast Regions of Ghana. In 2021, TSI successfully reintegrated a number of the victims from the Kpatinga camp into communities of their choice. We also facilitate relief aid to the camps.  

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