For decades, hundreds of women in the north of Ghana have been accused of witchcraft—a label that has stripped them of their homes, families, and dignity. Branded as outcasts, many are banished to remote camps where they endure extreme poverty, inadequate shelter, and limited access to food, clean water, and healthcare. A new report by Amnesty International, Branded for Life: How Witchcraft Accusations Lead to Human Rights Violations of Hundreds of Women in North Ghana, exposes the systemic failures that leave these women trapped in cycles of abuse and neglect.
A LIFE SHATTERED BY ACCUSATIONS
Witchcraft accusations often arise from tragic events—a death, an illness, or even a dream. But behind these claims lie deep-seated discrimination against older women, widows, and those who defy traditional gender roles. Many accusations are fueled by jealousy, land disputes, or the desire to rid families of “burdens.”
Zeinab Mahama’s mother, Akua Denteh, was lynched in 2020 after being accused of witchcraft. A video of her brutal killing sparked national outrage, yet attacks continue. “They beat her for an hour, demanding she confess,” Zeinab recalls. “The next day, they killed her.”
Others, like Wuni Kolgu, flee to camps to survive. After being accused by her own family, Wuni sought police help, but officers dismissed her. “If I had stayed, they would have killed me,” she says.