The Bill seeks to bring relief to the many vulnerable women languishing in camps in some parts of Ghana for being accused of witchcraft.
The new law was suggested following the lynching of a 90-year-old woman in Kafaba in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region in July 2020.
The inhuman killing of the woman who was accused of witchcraft drew condemnation from local and international rights groups.
While it is not uncommon for people to be accused of witchcraft in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural communities, Reuters reported that the woman's death caused a public outcry because of the brutal way she was beaten and killed.
Speaking during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Yendi, Bishop Alfred Agyenta expressed disappointment over the delay in implementing the Bill, saying, “Fair-minded Ghanaians and indeed all Christians are disappointed with the stalling of this Bill, which sought to bring relief to the many vulnerable women languishing in the so-called camps.”
Bishop Agyenta expressed his frustration over the prioritization of financial concerns over human dignity following the delay in the implementation of the Bill.
“It is very sad to learn that financial considerations relating to the passage of the Bill have been placed over and above the need to restore and protect the dignity of our mothers, grandmothers, and sisters who are made to feel like second-class citizens in their own country,” the Bishop said in the video published on Wednesday, October 30 following the Saturday, October 26 event.
Bishop Agyenta posed a critical question, urging reflection on the impact of the issue: “If those responsible for the signing of this Act into law had a mother, a sister, or a grandmother sitting in one of these camps, would they behave in this manner?”
In his call to action, the Ghanaian Bishop reflected on the transformative power of the Gospel in challenging harmful cultural practices such as witchcraft.
He addressed the moral implications of the witch camps, describing them as “a scar on the conscience of all Ghanaians” and a clear demonstration of moral failure among Christians.
“Looking back to the past with gratitude, we have seen how the power and light of the Gospel have made inroads into every facet of society, challenging cultural practices such as the ‘Spirit child’ phenomenon and the belief and practice of witchcraft,” he said.
“How can we continue to look on in desperation when the Gospel message is so loud and clear on the inviolability of the dignity of every human being?” he questioned, noting that all are created in the image and likeness of God.
The Anti-Witchcraft Bill, officially titled the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to amend the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Acts 29) to “prohibit witch doctoring and witch finding.” It also makes it illegal to accuse, name, or label someone as a witch.
Despite the Bill's significance, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo raised concerns about its possible financial implications for the country's consolidated fund, and he therefore chose not to sign it.