The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has commended Ghana’s Parliament for passing a bill that criminalizes the act of declaring, accusing, naming, or labeling another person as a witch.
She expressed her appreciation while addressing inmates at the Gambaga Witches Camp during her official visit to the North East Region.
Madam Thompson told the inmates, “We are happy that this law has been approved by parliament that will stop people from being accused of witchcraft because we don’t want other people to be treated the way that some of you have been treated.”
The High Commissioner also emphasized the importance of Parliament’s actions in safeguarding the human rights of individuals.
She expressed her commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at preventing the abuse of women and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups in the North East region.
“Human rights are as important as anybody else’s human rights and so we will continue to work with other people in Ghana who are supporting you to make sure that those human rights are respected and those of your children and your children’s children.”
In July this year, Parliament approved the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022, which was introduced by Madina MP Francis Xavier Sosu and four other MPs.
This bill makes it illegal to declare, accuse, name, or label another person as a witch in Ghana. Additionally, the amended bill prohibits individuals from practicing as witch doctors or witchfinders, among other provisions.