Executive Director for the Sanneh Institute, Prof John Azumah, has indicated that the draft bill that seeks to criminise the activities of witch doctors, as well as that of witch hunters, is not about the belief in the existence of witches.
"It's not about the belief, it's about the process you go through to label or identify someone as a witch," he said.
Speaking on Sunday, November 14, 2021, during JoyNews' The Law, the Professor explained that the bill is intended to hold people accountable for their actions and also to end the practice that infringes on the rights of the victims who are often innocent.
He further noted that though witchcraft is mentioned in the Bible and other religions, it is not a basis to mete out dehumanising practices to others.
"Witchcraft is mentioned in the Bible but you have to understand what that is all about. We are not after the belief system, we are going after the consequences and how people act out this belief. If I believe that witches exist, and I want to protect myself in my prayers, in my private house, that is my right.
"However, if you go out of your belief to put another's life in jeopardy, or subject the person to public ridicule, or dehumanise him," that's when the law comes in.
He was contributing to discussions on a proposed bill that seeks to criminise the activities of witch doctors as well as sanction people who accuse others of practicing or engaging in witchcraft.
The draft bill is expected to also proscribe the declaration, accusation, naming, or labeling of another person as a witch; to prohibit a person from employing or soliciting anyone to accuse, name, label, indicate, or declare another person as a witch and provide for related matters.
Three MPs have introduced a Private Members’ Bill to amend the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29) to prohibit the practice by any person as a witch doctor or witchfinder.
The sponsors are MPs for Madina, Pusiga, and Wa East Constituencies, Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, and Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw respectively.
Latest Stories
-
American-Israeli hostage appears in Hamas video for first time
6 mins -
Samson’s Take: Arrogance of Power, Shameful Policing
7 hours -
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
9 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
9 hours -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
9 hours -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
9 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
10 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
10 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
10 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
11 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
12 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
12 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
12 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
13 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
13 hours