End Human Rights Abuses Against Alleged Witches

It has been an exceptional quarter for SONGTABA, and we would like to extend our heartfelt greetings to our esteemed donors. Your unwavering commitment to our cause has had a profound impact over the past quarter, and we are immensely grateful for your continued partnership. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to successfully monitor the progress of reintegrated women last quarter. On behalf of SONGTABA, we sincerely thank you for your invaluable support throughout this period.

During this quarter, SONGTABA continued to monitor reintegrated women, evaluating their living conditions and progress post-reintegration. In the Nanumba South district of the Northern region, we visited 4 women. We are pleased to report notable progress during this period, and one woman shared her reintegration experience with our monitoring team.

 Mariama, a 69-year-old woman from the Waribugu community in the Zubzugu district of the Northern region in Ghana was banished from her own community, accused of being responsible for the death of a woman in her late 30s. On a Friday morning, a group of community members armed with machetes and cutlasses surrounded her house, threatening her life. In a devastating turn of events, her 4-bedroom house was burnt down, even though she had invested her entire life savings into it. She laments the sudden betrayal by the community she had lived in for many years, which now prevents her from enjoying her basic rights. Currently, she has been reintegrated to Wulensi in the Nanumba South district.

 Mariama shared some of the challenges she faced at the camp but thankfully with the support of Songtaba and Partners have been able to heal form this trauma. I faced a lot of difficulties including access to basic needs like food because, there was no source of income for that, when it comes to access to water, I had to walk long distance in search of that, shelter, was another problem since the room I found myself in had a leaking roof so I cannot sleep especially when is raining, I will have to stand till the rain stops or probably daybreak and livelihood opportunities, the stigma on me was a barrier to a lot of opportunities. My source of income was abruptly cut off when I was banished to the Kukuo camp, leaving me in a dire situation with no means of support. I had to rely on the assistance of civil societies and other community members for survival.

Now, the presence of a supportive network comprising family, friends, and supportive groups plays a pivotal role in my life after my reintegration. This network offers emotional support, guidance, and practical assistance in navigating the various challenges I faced.

Today, I am filled with a sense of optimism and joy following my successful reintegration. I now feel fully integrated into society, as I am able to access essential provisions such as healthcare, sustenance, and housing. Reuniting with my family is a precious and cherished privilege that I deeply longed for during my absence. The anguish and suffering I endured during that time is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone.

Mariama also added, government do not have to wait for another public lynching of a vulnerable victim to act. She, respectfully urges, the government to authorize his signature on the recently enacted bill, passed by parliament, in order to formally establish it as law. This legislation will help address and mitigate allegations of witchcraft that disproportionately affect women. It would not only discourage accusers, but also establish an effective legal framework for law enforcement agencies and victims to pursue legal action against offenders and seek justice. This would also greatly boost the confidence of victims like us, empowering them to reintegrate into their families.

SONGTABA is dedicated in collaborating with gender institutions that share our vision to advocate for the president to assent to the anti-witchcraft bill into law, which will criminalize witchcraft accusations and its related offenses. Songtaba continues too work with organisations and individuals who share a common vision of free and just society where every individual enjoy their fundamental rights and create an enabling environment for peaceful co-existence.