Bringing the community together
In the quiet town of Salaga in Ghana’s Savannah Region, sounds from conversations filled the air as community members gathered with a shared purpose to speak openly about dignity, safety, and respect for women On 10th March 2026, people from Salaga and nearby communities including Kafaba, Kakoshie, Lamsa, Tachipe, and Sisipe came together, bringing with them stories, concerns, and hopes for change. The gathering, organized by Amnesty International Ghana to mark International Women’s Day 2026, created a safe space for honest dialogue between community members, traditional leaders, men, and civil society actors. Under the theme”Guardians of Dignity: Men, Traditional Authorities and Security Actors against Witchcraft Accusations.”the conversation centered on a difficult issue that continues to affect many vulnerable women with a great concern and focus on northern Ghana, where witchcraft accusations is strongly linked to issues of spirituality and cultural heritage.
Understanding the Human Impact
Presentations brought to light the lived realities of women accused of witchcraft, many of whom face stigma, displacement, and social exclusion in their communities.
For several participants, it was the first time they were introduced to the proposed Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill. The session provided insight into how the bill seeks to protect victims from abuse and prevent the harmful practices associated with witchcraft accusations.
The conversation drew heavily from findings in the report Branded for Life: How Witchcraft Accusation Lead to Human Rights Violations of Hundreds of Women in North Ghana, released by Amnesty International on 14 April 2025. The report documents the experiences of women affected by such accusations and highlights the serious human rights violations they endure. It opened space for the participants to add their voices in recommending solutions to the issue at hand.
Community dialogue to find solutions
During an interactive dialogue session, participants discussed practical ways communities can prevent witchcraft accusations. Suggestions included increasing community education, challenging harmful myths, and promoting respectful ways of conflict resolution within communities. Others highlighted the need to rely on scientific explanations for illnesses and misfortunes, rather than attributing them to witchcraft.
Participants also stressed the importance of seeking support from traditional leaders, the police, and other institutions whenever accusations arise to ensure that victims are protected.
The dialogue revealed a growing awareness that addressing witchcraft accusations requires collective action from families and community leaders to law enforcement and civil society.
A collective commitment
As the event drew to a close, the atmosphere reflected a renewed sense of responsibility. Participants signed pledges and committed to becoming advocates for change within their own communities.
They pledged to prevent witchcraft accusations, protect victims who are accused, and act as guardians of dignity by raising awareness and speaking out against harmful practices that violate the rights of women.
Through engagements like this, Amnesty International Ghana continues to work alongside communities to challenge harmful practices and build a society where every woman can live free from fear, stigma, and discrimination.
