https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231204/the-power-of-society-to-uplift-or-destroy-people-1063949731.html
The Power of Society to Uplift or Destroy People
The Power of Society to Uplift or Destroy People
Sputnik Africa
A Ghanaian MP, who has an intriguing story of his path to becoming a lawmaker, promoted a bill to close witch camps in the country — places where women accused... 04.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-04T19:12+0100
2023-12-04T19:12+0100
2023-12-04T20:00+0100
afroverdict
ghana
accusations of witchcraft
human rights
podcasts
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The Power of Society to Uplift or Destroy People
Sputnik Africa
A Ghanaian MP, who has an intriguing story of his path to becoming a lawmaker, promoted a bill to close witch camps in the country — places where women accused of witchcraft seek refuge after being exiled. AfroVerdict host joins executives of organizations who help these accused women, as well as the MP, to discuss the phenomenon of witch camps.
Some of the women accused of witchraft "have been beaten", "some have been banished", and "some have been killed", People believing in witchcraft is a phenomenon that is "quite widespread across Africa", however Ghana stands out "when it comes to the camps", according to Prof. John Azumah, Executive Director, The Sanneh Institute.The witch camps "started as a safe haven", but now they are "open prisons". Although mcuh effort is being made to close these camps, it is "uncertain when the belief and practice of witchcraft" will come to an end, according to Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director at Songtaba NGO. The reintegration of these accused women into society has seen progress from organizations like Songtaba NGO.Francis-Xavier Sosu, the MP involved in promoting the anti witch camp bill, had his fair share of experience with witchcraft.Mr. Sosu wants to use "coutrooms", "the media" and "the law" in order to "bring about the change".
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ghana, accusations of witchcraft, human rights, podcasts, аудио
ghana, accusations of witchcraft, human rights, podcasts, аудио
The Power of Society to Uplift or Destroy People
19:12 04.12.2023 (Updated: 20:00 04.12.2023) Viktor Anokhin
Producer, Podcast host
A Ghanaian MP, who has an intriguing story of his path to becoming a lawmaker, promoted a bill to close witch camps in the country — places where women accused of witchcraft seek refuge after being exiled. AfroVerdict host joins executives of organizations who help these accused women, as well as the MP, to discuss the phenomenon of witch camps.
Some of the women accused of witchraft "have been beaten", "some have been banished", and "some have been killed",
People believing in witchcraft is a phenomenon that is "quite widespread across Africa", however Ghana stands out "when it comes to the camps", according to Prof. John Azumah, Executive Director, The Sanneh Institute.
The witch camps "started as a safe haven", but now they are "open prisons".
"The camps are started around traditional shrines [...] They would take the women to these shrines to determine whether they are actually witches. Even when the women are said not to be witches, they will still threaten them. They threaten them, if you come back home, we will harm you," Prof. Azumah says.
Although mcuh effort is being made to close these camps, it is "uncertain when the belief and practice of witchcraft" will come to an end, according to Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director at Songtaba NGO.
The reintegration of these accused women into society has seen progress from organizations like Songtaba NGO.
"As we are doing the gradual reintegration, we are hoping that the government comes in to support the reintegration program so that we reintegrate the women gradually whilst we continue to do the sensitization at the community level," Ms. Adam says.
Francis-Xavier Sosu, the MP involved in promoting the anti witch camp bill, had his fair share of experience with witchcraft.
"I've been to voodoo houses. I've seen what happens there. I saw how my mother was given as a slave girl to the shrine because of these socio-cultural practices known as the Trokosi," Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Lawyer, Member of the Ghanaian Parliament, exlains.
Mr. Sosu wants to use "coutrooms", "the media" and "the law" in order to "bring about the change".
