Life after accusation: Forced internment, human rights violations, and the urgent case for criminalizing witchcraft claims in Ghana

Abubakar Muhammad Jibril; Ramalina Ranaivo Mikea Manitra; Arafat Hossain

doi:10.55942/pssj.v5i8.443

Authors

Abubakar Muhammad Jibril University of Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6937-7390
Ramalina Ranaivo Mikea Manitra ASTA Research Centre https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6852-8780
Arafat Hossain University of Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6247-3248

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i8.443

Keywords:

Witchcraft accusations, forced internment, human rights violations, Ghana, witch camps, criminalization

Abstract

Accusations of witchcraft in Ghana are still causing forced displacement and severe human rights violations in impoverished, aging women, and other disadvantaged persons. This research is a sociolegal examination of the legal reaction to the protracted crisis in Ghana. Assisted by doctrinal methodology, this article critically examines Ghana's 1992 Constitution, the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, against relevant international human rights obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the ICCPR. To effectively implement the law, this study employs qualitative data gathered from eight lengthy interviews with survivors, representatives of civil society, religious and traditional leaders, and policymakers. The research indicates that the current criminal law of Ghana offers no clear assurances against unfounded accusations of witchcraft; the bill, nevertheless, makes an effort to close the legislative lacuna by designating malicious accusations as an offence, which is punishable with imprisonment and compulsory compensation. The development has been long due to fostering essential rights relating to security, dignity, and non-discrimination. However, the delay in presidential assent highlights the necessity for continued advocacy. This research demonstrates that the passage of criminalization, alongside systemic reforms, police training, community sensitization programs, and reintegration assistance, is key to bringing forced internment to an end and making Ghana's domestic law consistent with its constitutional obligation and international human rights commitment.

Author Biographies

Abubakar Muhammad Jibril, University of Indonesia

Abubakar Muhammad Jibril is a legal researcher specializing in international human rights law with a focus on women’s rights and gender-based violence. He is currently affiliated with the Faculty of Law at the Universitas Indonesia. His professional background includes research and policy analysis of human rights protection in Africa, particularly addressing the legal and institutional gaps that affect vulnerable groups. He has contributed to several research papers and academic publications on human rights, Islamic law, and sociolegal reform. His work emphasizes bridging universal human rights standards with local contexts through culturally informed legal frameworks. He actively collaborates with legal practitioners, NGOs, and academic partners to advocate practical reforms that advance access to justice for marginalized communities. He has presented papers at regional and international conferences and continues to develop scholarships that inform policy and support legal reform initiatives. He can be contacted at abubakarmuhammadjibril765@gmail.com

Ramalina Ranaivo Mikea Manitra , ASTA Research Centre

He is the Head of Legal Affairs at the ASTA Research Centre, Madagascar. He holds an LL.B. from Universitas Diponegoro and is currently an LL.M. candidate at Universitas Indonesia. His research interests lie in human rights law and comparative law, with a particular focus on the legal frameworks governing justice and social protection. His work explores the intersection of law and policy, analyzing the effectiveness of legal norms in addressing contemporary human rights challenges. He can be contacted at manitraramalina@asta.co.mg

Arafat Hossain, University of Indonesia

He holds an LL.B. from the Asia Pacific University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is currently an LL.M. candidate at Universitas Indonesia. With two years of experience as a legal assistant at the Dhaka Judge Court, he cultivated strong dedication to law and human rights. He has actively contributed to organisations such as Youth for Human Rights International and the Centre for Human Rights Studies, where he served as an assistant coordinator. Arafat brings hands-on expertise in legal drafting, case management, and digitalisation of legal records, along with a background in human rights advocacy and digital marketing. He is committed to leveraging his legal and digital skills to drive meaningful change in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.arafathossains@gmail.com

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Unpublished Interviews

INT-01. Woman accused of witchcraft, interviewed at Gambaga Camp, Online June 25, 2025.

INT-02. Woman accused of witchcraft, interviewed at Kukuo Camp, Online June 25, 2025.

INT-03. Tindana (traditional priest), interviewed at Gambaga, Online June 26, 2025.

INT-04. ActionAid Ghana Field Officer, interviewed at Tamale, Online June 26, 2025.

INT-05. CHRAJ Representative, interviewed at Accra, Online June 26, 2025.

INT-06. Human Rights Lawyer, interviewed at Accra, Online June 27, 2025.

INT-07. Local Imam, interviewed at Salaga, Online June 27, 2025.

INT-08. Member of Parliament, interviewed at Accra, Online June 27, 2025.