Ahead of International Women’s Day, Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has reintroduced the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill in Parliament, seeking to criminalize witchcraft allegations and protect elderly women from abuse.

Parliament initially passed the bill in July 2023, but then-President Nana Akufo-Addo did not sign it into law.

Despite widespread public support, including appeals from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the bill was left unresolved following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament.

Determined to push it through, Sosu has secured the backing of nine MPs in the 9th Parliament, including:

Sosu emphasized that the bill aligns with Ghana’s constitution and international human rights standards, reiterating his commitment to securing legal protection for vulnerable elderly women.

On July 28, 2023, Parliament passed the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, amending the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) to ban witch doctors, witch finders, and witchcraft accusations. The bill was originally sponsored by Sosu alongside NDC MPs Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Helen Adjoa Ntoso, and Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah.

The renewed push aims to ensure the bill finally becomes law, offering legal protection and justice for victims of witchcraft accusations in Ghana.