Five Members of Parliament have reintroduced the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill in a renewed push to criminalise the accusation of individuals as witches and outlaw the activities of witchfinders and witch doctors in Ghana.

The private member’s bill, laid before Parliament on Tuesday, seeks to amend the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), by making it an offence to accuse, declare, name or label another person as a witch.

The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit the practice of witch-finding and ban the activities of persons who claim to possess the ability to identify alleged witches. 

It further provides legal protection for victims of witchcraft accusations and introduces measures to address abuses linked to such allegations.

The bill was originally passed by the eighth Parliament in July 2023 but failed to become law after former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declined to grant presidential assent. 

The former President argued that the legislation, introduced as a private member’s bill, raised constitutional concerns and should instead have been sponsored by the Executive.

The bill is jointly sponsored by Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina; Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, MP for Pusiga; Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, MP for Wa East; Helen Adjoa Ntoso, MP for Krachi West; and Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah, MP for Afram Plains North.

Its reintroduction comes amid renewed calls by human rights organisations and civil society groups for stronger legal safeguards against witchcraft accusations, a practice that continues to disproportionately affect older women, particularly in parts of northern Ghana.

If passed, the legislation is expected to strengthen the legal framework for protecting vulnerable persons from abuse, discrimination and violence arising from witchcraft accusations.