Victims of a witchcraft accusation are being subjected to public humiliation and physical abuse in Anhwiesu in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The victims include 11-year-old pupil and three elderly women.
The class six pupil-name withheld was accused by a colleague of possessing spiritual powers of “tying” two fellow pupils and also orchestrating with other supposed cult members- being the three elderly women- to harm a teacher.
Subsequently, elders of the community organised an event to exorcise the accused persons. However the three elderly women refused to attend the event arguing that they had no witchcraft or any spiritual powers.
A fetish priest who was invited claimed he had seen deeds of the girl in spiritual realm.
Following that event, the victim and her family have come under public ridicule according to her mother.
“It has really been difficult for us so we spend much hours on the farm these days because we want to stay out of the sight of other community members”- said her father who says he had initially objected the community-organised exorcism and only caved under pressure from community elders.
Ninety six years old Amponsah- not her real name- who has also been accused says she is currently facing eviction from the house she built. At multiple instances she has been physically assaulted by her relatives.
Agyeiwaa-not her real name- is 76-years and has difficulty in walking. She has been shunned by members of the community.
“Even if I want to buy they don’t sell to me. I can’t even send any child on an errand again because their parents won’t allow”- she told Ghana Weekend.
For the women, everyday is a painful reminder of injustice are now calling for justice and protection.
Assemblyman for the Anhwiesu Electoral Area, Abdul Karim Sulemana who described the development as unfortunate and condemns the public accusation of the victims is calling for official investigations into the matter.
Chief of the community, Nana Yaw Kwaning Ababio II, has however defended himself saying the decision to involve a fetish priest was meant to calm fears among teachers and public servants, some of whom had threatened to leave the community.
Although officials at the Assin North District Education Directorate declined to speak on record, they confirmed that several teachers from the Anhwiesu Basic School have applied for transfers though none cited spiritual concerns in their official documentation.
In July 2023, Ghana’s Parliament passed an amendment to the Criminal Offences Act to criminalise witchcraft accusations and offer legal protection, especially to women.
However, the bill has yet to receive presidential assent leaving vulnerable individuals without full legal recourse.
BY AKWASI ADDO
