Over 800 persons accused of witchcraft are receiving bi-monthly cash grants – Gender Minister – Nsemkeka
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is currently providing bi-monthly cash grants to 813 women and men accused of witchcraft.
The cash grants, being provided under the Livelihoods Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), were intended to provide relief and support for those unjustly accused of witchcraft.
While responding to an urgent question posed by Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, on the floor of the House on measures government is taking to safeguard those accused of witchcraft, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Sector Minister, said the Ministry had intensified sensitisation campaigns in communities where such accusations were endemic.
The Minister entreated traditional leaders and the public to join forces in dismantling such harmful superstitions.
Dr Lartey said in 2022, the Ministry submitted a position paper to amend the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, (Act 29) to prohibit witch doctors and witch-finders from practicing.
The Ministry, she said, had written to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to enact a law to explicitly criminalise the practice.
“It’s our fervent hope that the proposed amendment will receive necessary bi-partisan support from the House,” Dr Lartey stated.
The Minister entreated those stigmatised of witchcraft to seek legal redress to restore their rights and dignity
Dr Lartey made a passionate appeal to all citizens to desist from accusing persons suspected to be witches or wizards.