The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has called on government to take urgent action to ensure the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, widely known as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on February 10 to mark World Day Against Witch Hunt, as the committee joined the international community in condemning witchcraft accusations and related abuses.

The committee commended individuals, civil society organisations and governments working to eliminate witchcraft accusations and witch hunts in Ghana and across the world.

It expressed optimism that the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, would prioritise the bill during the tenure of the 9th Parliament to strengthen protections for vulnerable persons, particularly elderly women who are often the primary targets of such accusations.

“The Committee on Human Rights remains optimistic that the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, shall in this 9th Parliament take urgent steps to ensure the passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, also known as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, to guarantee the protection and preservation of the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly elderly women in Ghana,” the statement said.

The committee reaffirmed its solidarity with victims of witch hunts, describing the practice as a serious violation of fundamental human rights guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.

It cited breaches of several constitutional provisions, including Articles 12, 13, 14, 15, 17(2) and 21(2), which relate to fundamental human rights, dignity, equality and freedoms. The statement further noted that witchcraft accusations also contravene international human rights instruments such as the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

As part of its oversight responsibilities, the committee announced plans to undertake monitoring visits to all so-called witch camps across the country in the coming weeks. The visits, it said, are aimed at assessing conditions and reinforcing efforts to protect the rights and dignity of affected individuals.

The statement was signed by the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, Ernest Yaw Anim.