Sosu Hopeful Witchcraft Accusation Criminalisation Will Make Lasting Impact

The Member of Parliament for Madina constituency, Hon Francis Xavier Sosu has expressed joy over the criminalization of the witchcraft accusation in Ghana following an amendment of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29.

He, however, wishes the impact of the law will be felt.

Parliament on Thursday passed the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2022 criminalising the declaration, accusation, naming or labelling of another person as a witch in Ghana.

This, therefore, brings an end to the activities of witch-finders and witch accusation which is active in parts of the country.

Reacting to this in a Facebook post, Hon Sosu who is also a human rights lawyer and a sponsor of the amended Bill said, he was “overjoyed” at the reforms which according to him will create a fair and equitable criminal justice system that focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, and restorative justice.

He added, “As we move forward, I am confident that the abolition of the death penalty and criminalization of witchcraft accusations will have a lasting positive impact on our society.”

The Bill to amend the Act was introduced in 2021 by three legislators including MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, MP for Pusiga, Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba and MP for Wa East, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw.

This was after a 90-year-old woman identified as Akua Denteh was lynched in the Savanah region in 2020 after being labelled a witch.