Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill advances as Gender Ministry engages Amnesty International Ghana

The Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill is making its way through the necessary stages, with proposed changes to the Criminal Offences Act currently under review by the Attorney General's Department. This development was shared by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a gathering with a delegation from Amnesty International Ghana.

The delegation, headed by its Director Hannah Osei, focused on the bill's advancement and ways to better protect individuals accused of witchcraft. Ms Osei praised the Ministry for its work in promoting gender equality and social welfare, and reiterated Amnesty International Ghana's determination to back efforts to pass the bill.

She encouraged the Ministry to carry on its cooperation with the Attorney General's Department and other partners to aid the bill's progress. Ms Osei noted that revisiting the legislation as a government-backed bill might help resolve some of the obstacles that hindered its previous passage. Dr Lartey welcomed Amnesty International Ghana's ongoing partnership and restated the Ministry's dedication to safeguarding at-risk individuals through more robust legal and policy measures.

The Minister said the bill is undergoing the required procedures, with proposed amendments to the Criminal Offences Act currently under review by the Attorney General's Department. Both parties also discussed prospects for ongoing cooperation to safeguard the rights, honor, and well-being of those affected by accusations of witchcraft.

This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to improve Ghana's legal and policy landscape for protecting vulnerable individuals and tackling harmful practices linked to accusations of witchcraft.