Five Members of Parliament have reintroduced the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at criminalising witchcraft accusations and banning the activities of witch doctors and witch finders.
The bipartisan private member’s bill is being spearheaded by the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and seeks to provide legal protection for individuals accused or labelled as witches.
The proposed legislation will make it an offence to declare, accuse, name or brand any person as a witch, while also prohibiting practices associated with witch doctors and witch finders.
The bill is intended to address the persistent abuse, violence and discrimination suffered by people—particularly elderly women—who are accused of witchcraft in parts of the country.
The legislation was previously passed by the Eighth Parliament but failed to become law after it lapsed without receiving presidential assent before the dissolution of Parliament.
Its reintroduction revives efforts to strengthen legal protections against witchcraft accusations and eliminate practices that have contributed to human rights violations and the existence of so-called witch camps in some parts of Ghana.
The bill is expected to undergo the normal parliamentary process, including committee consideration and debate, before a final decision is taken by the House.
