Advocate Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, is calling on the government to swiftly advance the approval of the anti-witchcraft bill.
Emphasizing the pressing need for action, he cites the hardships faced by women labeled as witches, who endure assault and stigma.
Whittal addressed attendees at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day 2023, organized by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice under the theme, “The 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Implications for Human Rights Protection in Ghana,” held on December 11, 2023.
Expressing the Commission’s concern, Whittal stated, “Our concern now is what the president has indicated that he has constitutional concerns, but he has no problem with the content of the bill. Our problem as a Commission is, can the president speed up, whatever he will do to bring that bill to Parliament whether it is through the Attorney General, or however he intends to. The women cannot afford any further delay.”
The Parliament has already approved the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, also recognized as the anti-witchcraft bill, aiming to criminalize attacks on alleged witches.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin criticized the President on November 27, 2023, for not communicating his stance on the bill to Parliament as expected for review and assent.
In a letter addressed to Parliament on Monday, December 4, President Akufo-Addo conveyed that he cannot provide his assent to the three bills until the constitutional issues tied to them are resolved.
