In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu has once again presented the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill in Parliament, aiming to criminalize witchcraft allegations and protect elderly women at risk of abuse.
The bill was initially approved by Parliament in July 2023 but was not signed into law by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo, who raised constitutional concerns.
Despite strong public support including appeals from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for its enactment, the bill was left unresolved following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament.
Determined to see it become law, Sosu has gained the backing of nine other MPs in the 9th Parliament.
They include Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor (South Dayi), Comfort Doyoe (Ada), Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw (Wa East), Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba (Pusiga), Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi (Asante-Akim Central), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (Krachi West), Dzifa Gomashie (Ketu South), Zuwera Ibrahimah (Salaga South), and Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (La-Dadekotopon).
The Madina MP remains firm in his commitment to securing legal protection for vulnerable elderly women, emphasising that the bill upholds both Ghana’s constitution and international human rights standards.
On July 28, 2023, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which amends the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) to ban the practices of witch doctors and witch finders, and to prohibit the declaration, accusation, or labelling of individuals as witches.
The Private Member’s Bill was sponsored by Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu (NDC MP for Madina) along with other NDC MPs: Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, and Madam Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah.
However, President Akufo-Addo at the time indicated that he was not going to sign private members’ bills into law once they imposed a charge on the Consolidated Fund.
He emphasised that such proposals should come from the executive arm of government. This includes the bill sponsored by Mr Sosu to abolish the death penalty and proscribe witchcraft accusations.
