Dotted across the northern part of the country are villages where women have been literally exiled to and are living under the protection of the overlord there. These villages are called witches camps and inmates of the villages are accused of being witches. Some of the women may have confessed to being witches but most of them are only accused by their detractors. The basis of the accusation invariably has been that there has been a strange death or mishap and these women are thought to be the cause; or that somebody dreamt and saw a woman harassing her in the dream and therefore she is a witch, or she herself dreamt of being chased by a man believed to be a witchdoctor and therefore she believes she is a witch. These women are literally chased out by the village folks and if they do not leave they will be lynched. These alleged witches live in deplorable conditions and some have had to embark on prostitution to fend for themselves. Gambaga witches camp is such a typical camp in the Northern Region. There are at least five others. These women cannot go back to their communities without the risk of being killed because they have been accused of being the cause of suffering or death of somebody the village. Their human rights are violated in various ways including forced and unremunerated labour on the overlord's farms. In this 21st century, it should be appropriately seen as a blot on the conscience of Ghanaians as it grossly violates the human rights of these women, some of whom actually have mental health problems including depression which makes people confess to imaginary crimes. What is witchcraft? But what is witchcraft? Even if somebody confesses to being a witch or is even confirmed as a witch, assuming it were possible, how should such a person be treated? Does the national constitution allow people to be treated in such a demeaning manner? Where do human rights issues come in? And why is it that only women are accused of witchcraft and chased to these camps? Interestingly these are women of no substance: poor, widowed, childless, uneducated and illiterate. How often will they accuse a young beautiful resourceful person? And how dare anybody accuse a man of being a wizard let alone chase him to a camp? Apparently these camps have been a source of concern to many people. NGOs and religious groups have been there to donate items to try to improve upon their lot. However, no concrete steps have been taken by anybody to fully deal with the issue. What these women need is not sympathy and tokens of donations. What they really need is equity and respect for human rights, and that means disbanding and banning the camps. The argument always has been that it is part of the culture, yet the constitution frowns on any cultural practice that demeans and dehumanises people. Probably those who are in the position to act are afraid of the powers of the witches and the witchdoctors to harm them. Otherwise I find it amazing that to date nobody has acted. Finding a solution It is in the light of the need to act that a few people, including this writer, have decided to organise a conference towards finding a lasting solution to this menace of the society. Kudos to those who effectively canvassed for the banning of female genital mutilation, trokosi and the horrible widowhood rites. Now is the time to act to liberate these our sisters, mothers and grandmothers. I would not be surprised that some of these women are mothers to big men down south. What are they doing? This upcoming conference is to examine the issues of witchcraft and witches camps, the historical origin of these camps, the sociological and anthropological aspects and come out with solid interventions aimed at disbanding, banning and outlawing such practices. The conference will examine approaches to provide public education against the cultural beliefs for a long-lasting solution. We recognise that a simple fiat of close down the camps will not work, nor a simple solution like take them back to their communities. We need a systematic and holistic approach of education, removal of Cultural prejudices, pacifications and compromises, rehabilitation, job training, job provision and reintegration. Three time frames of solutions These will be put in three time frames of short, medium and long term solutions. The short term will be to immediately find them money and other resources to improve upon their plight. The medium term will be to give the women skill or training while at the same time educating the communities, desensitising them and preparing their minds to accept the ‘witches’ and putting up half-way homes as rehab centres to prepare the women towards being sent home for reintegration and sending some inmates home on gradual basis. The long term solution is for them to be settled in their own homes, close down the camps and pass legislation to outlaw the camps and the practice. The objectives of the conference are to create action oriented public awareness, to initiate steps towards banning such camps and to take steps to enact appropriate legislation that will outlaw the camps and the practice. This conference comes off on Tuesday September 13, 2011 at the British Council. It is a full day conference from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.