The Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, in partnership with Amnesty International Ghana, has embarked on a three-day fact-finding mission to alleged witches’ camps in the Northern Region.
The purpose of the visit is to assess living conditions and address human rights concerns, as Parliament prepares for the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, also known as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
The delegation, led by the Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, first paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Gambaga, Alhaji Tahiru Tia, before proceeding to the Gambaga Witches’ Camp.
At the camp, the Committee observed that while the Presbyterian Church had introduced initiatives to help the alleged witches generate income, many residents complained of being unable to care for their families due to restrictions on their movement.
In response, the Chief has allocated parcels of land to some of the women to allow them to live with their families outside the camp.
However, the Committee also found that many of the shelters were in a dilapidated condition and unsafe for habitation, with residents lacking access to basic amenities.
These conditions, they noted, highlight the urgency of legislative reforms to protect vulnerable women from harmful accusations and practices.
Mr. Anim assured residents of the Committee’s commitment to working with civil society and government stakeholders to ensure their reintegration into mainstream society.
He stressed that the Committee would continue to push for the speedy passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill. As part of the visit, the Committee presented the camp with a television set and a cash donation to support the residents.