In a distressing turn of events, the plight of the elderly in Ghana remains precarious due to persistent accusations of witchcraft.
Despite Parliament’s passage of the 2023 Anti-Witchcraft Bill, which aims to outlaw witch-finding and the labeling of individuals as witches, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has yet to sign the bill into law.
This delay according to several human rights activists and civil society organizations is not only unacceptable but also emboldens those who perpetuate violence against the most vulnerable citizens.
The Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, in a recent statement urged President Akufo-Addo to sign the bill into law before his term ends.
His call to action follows a disturbing incident in Nyambong, in the Oti Region, where an elderly man was brutally beaten after being accused of wizardry.
Such horrific acts according to Honourable Sosu underline the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate legislative action.
He contended that President Akufo-Addo’s hesitation, citing concerns over the financial implications of enforcing the bill, is a weak excuse in the face of ongoing human rights abuses.
“It is quite sad and very unfortunate that those things continue to occur, despite the fact that we have been speaking and advocating against it. But then again, I think we must lay the blame right at the forefront of the president of the Republic of Ghana because our advocacy is incomplete unless this advocacy leads to legislation.”
Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu Esq., MP Madina Constituency
Anti-Witchcraft Bill to Safeguard Right of Vulnerable Citizens
The National Democratic Congress lawmaker further pointed out that the Anti-Witchcraft Bill is not just another piece of legislation, rather, it is a critical step toward protecting the rights and lives of countless Ghanaians, particularly the elderly, who are disproportionately targeted in witchcraft accusations.
These accusations, he noted often lead to mob violence, ostracization, and even death, fueled by superstition and ignorance.
Honourable Sosu emphasized that the bill once signed into law, will not only prohibit the harmful practice of witch-finding but also send a clear message that Ghana does not tolerate such human rights abuses.
Honourable Sosu’s remarks underscore a broader issue of governmental accountability and commitment to human rights.
“I think there is just a lack of commitment from the president to do what is needed. The reasons given for which reason the bill has not been signed are not tenable because the bill didn’t just get passed at the go. The bill went through different processes before it got to the stage where it was passed into law.”
Hon. Francis Xavier Sosu Esq., MP Madina Constituency
The Deputy Ranking Member of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of Parliament submitted that it is imperative for the President to recognize that the financial cost of implementing the law is far outweighed by the moral and social cost of inaction.
He posited that every day that passes without the bill being signed is another day where vulnerable Ghanaians are at risk.
“The government’s primary role is to protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. To delay is to deny them their right to safety and dignity”, Honourable Sosu stated.
Additionally, Honourable Sosu pointed out that the President’s delay in assenting the Anti-Witchcraft Bill into law casts a shadow over Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights.
He argued that if the President truly wants to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and the protection of the elderly, he must act swiftly and decisively, adding that the international community and Ghanaians alike are watching.
He stressed that his call on the President to assent the bill into law is not merely about legislation, but rather, it is about justice, human rights, and the kind of society we want to build, adding that Ghana cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering of its people.
In light of the above, it is therefore important that President Akufo-Addo and Parliament take immediate steps to address any outstanding issue regarding the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to ensure that it is signed into law without further delay.
The protection of Ghanaian citizens, the upholding of human rights, and the eradication of violence rooted in superstition depend on it.
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