Lawyer Jalaldeen Abdulai, the Upper East Regional Director for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has stated that current laws do not adequately address cases related to witchcraft accusations.
He expressed confidence in the anti-witchcraft bill’s approach and specificity. The bill has passed and is now awaiting presidential assent. Abdulai believes the bill would provide clear guidelines for handling accusations and help prevent related violence.
He noted that incidents involving witchcraft accusations often involve criminal activities, such as trial by ordeal, which is addressed under the Criminal Code Act.
Abdulai explained that participants in trial by ordeal could face significant legal consequences, including imprisonment for up to ten years. “What comes closer to this witchcraft issue is the trial by ordeal, which is covered under Section 315 of the Criminal Code Act,” he said.
Abdulai described the bill as well-structured and anticipated that it would significantly impact how witchcraft accusations are handled in Ghana, promoting justice and protecting vulnerable individuals from such abuses.
He expressed hope that the president would expedite the review and approval of the bill, stressing that its enactment would offer comprehensive solutions to these deeply entrenched issues. “We hope that the president will review and address it as soon as possible,” he said.
His comments follow a disturbing incident involving witchcraft accusations that led to the arrest and remand of Edmund Anamboi Aduko, a lecturer at Gbewaa College of Education, five pastors, and others in the Bongo district of the Upper East region.
The accused allegedly charged 61-year-old Ayidaana Abotisei with witchcraft, leading to her near-lynching in the Adaboya community after they forcefully took her to a fetish priest to confess wrongdoing, in violation of Section 207 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act of Ghana (Act 29, 1960).
On July 2, 2024, the accused appeared before the Bongo district court, which remanded them for two weeks to allow for further police investigation. The decision was made because seven of the accused are currently at large.
The police are working to apprehend the remaining suspects and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
The accused include Edmund Anamboi Aduko (57 years), Gbewaa College of Education lecturer; Aduko Isaac Asaa (28 years); Ayaka Calvin (20 years); Akayeti George (26 years); Yakub Zeckariah (20 years); and Agana Pius (20 years). Those currently at large include Asinga, Baba Adongo, Nyaaba, Atiah, Atobire, and Adogwereke.
Additionally, the accused charged with threatening to kill the victim’s son for reporting the case to the police include Ayamga Godwin (37 years), Asandoo Gideon (25 years), Christopher Abugre (31 years), and Asinga, who is at large.
The accused are scheduled to reappear in court on August 15, 2024.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHZ | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bongo
