The North East Regional Minister nominee, Ibrahim Tia, has shed light on the intriguing history of the Gambaga Witches Camp in his jurisdiction, revealing how it transitioned from a site of executions to a refuge for alleged witches.

Mr Tia explained that in the past, individuals accused of witchcraft were often killed. However, a former Imam of Gambaga intervened, condemning the practice and advocating for a more humane approach.

He stated that this practice ended the execution of individuals suspected of witchcraft, instead sending them to the Imam for spiritual cleansing if they were found to be witches, while those proven innocent were set free.

“In the past, they used to kill accused witches, but the then Imam condemned the practice, stating that it was too inhumane. He proposed that instead of executing them, they should be sent to a traditional leader who had the spiritual powers to neutralise the witchcraft. That was when the killings stopped.

"So the Gambaga witches camp served as a home for the witches and so when you get there and it proves that you are not a witch, they allow you to go back. But if it turns otherwise, then you remain there and then he uses his spiritual powers to neutralise the witchery in the witch,” Mr Tia narrated the history behind the Gamabaga Witch Camp when he appeared before Parliament's Appointment Committee for vetting.

He added that over the years, several organisations have worked to reintegrate accused women into their communities highlighting the role of a Non-Governmental Organisation-funded initiative called the "Go Home" Project, which is backed by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

“This project works with the witches' camp by engaging community stakeholders to facilitate the reintegration of accused women into their hometowns.

"They assist them by providing food, clothing, and accommodation to ensure they can rebuild their lives, ” he added.