The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson has lauded Ghana’s Parliament for approving a bill criminalising the declaration, accusation, naming, or labelling of another person as a witch.
She sang Parliament’s praises while addressing inmates of the Gambaga Witches Camp as part of her official visit to the region.
Madam Thompson told the inmates, “We are happy that this law has been approved by parliament that will stop people from being accused of witchcraft because we don’t want other people to be treated the way that some of you have been treated.”
The High Commissioner also highlighted the fact that Parliament’s action is critical to ensuring that no individual’s human rights are violated.
She pledged her outfit’s continued support for initiatives that would stop the abuse of women and guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups in the North East region.
“Human rights are as important as anybody else’s human rights and so we will continue to work with other people in Ghana who are supporting you to make sure that those human rights are respected and those of your children and your children’s children.”
Parliament in July passed the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022, sponsored by Madina MP, Francis Xavier Sosu and four other MPs.
The bill criminalises the declaration, accusation, naming, or labelling of another person as a witch in Ghana.
Also, the amended bill prohibits any person from practicing as a witch doctor or witchfinder.
Among others, it prohibits any person from practicing as a witch doctor or witch finder.
