In an effort to increase the likelihood that the Anti-Witchcraft Bill would be passed by Parliament, pre-stakeholder discussion on the legislation has started in Accra.
When enacted into law, it will make claims of witchcraft and associated offences illegal throughout the nation.
During a regional roundtable on inclusive journalism for top media professionals and editors yesterday in Accra, Prof. Amin Alhassan, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), made this statement.
"Media reaction to war, migration, and minority rights: Views on community livelihood" was the theme.
With assistance from the EU Commission, it was put on by the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change and Minority Rights Group International.
30 media professionals in all, including those from Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, are taking part in the roundtable. dialogue to increase their ability for educating people on the importance of minorities, migrants, and internally displaced people (IDPs) as vital components of peacebuilding, as well as conflict origins and effects.
It is a component of the "Engaging media and minorities to act for peacebuilding (EMMAP)" two-year initiative.
With the aim of "raising public understanding of the linkages between conflict, migration, and minority exclusion to help create and consolidate sustainable peace in the participating countries," the EU is funding it.
Relevance
Prof. Alhassan stated that the Wa East Constituency Member of Parliament, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, was promoting the measure through a private member's bill, and that its passage would further restore sanity and dignity to the country.
To help the bill become law, he asked media to put it on the national agenda.
Prof. Alhassan continued by stating the necessity for a law to defend and protect those who are accused of practising witchcraft since they are frequently exposed to different harsh treatment.
However, he advocated for the reform of witch camps rather than their complete dissolution because they provide victims with a place to hide.
Witchcraft
Witchcraft is any magic, spellcasting, sorcery, voodoo, or black magic performed with the goal to benefit or harm others.
Although there are laws that deal with assault, murder, and many other crimes, certain groups of individuals appear to turn to charges of witchcraft as a source of income.
Participants in the discussion, such as various civil society organisations working on Human rights organisations have argued that the only way to stop the abuse of those who are accused or suspected of the crime is to pass a legislation that specifically forbids witchcraft charges.
media's function
Ama Kudom-Agyemang, the executive director of MPEC, lamented the difficulties faced by the nation's minority groups and urged action to solve these issues.
She pleaded with the media to keep amplifying the perspectives of underserved groups, such as accused witches.
As a result, she added, "we want to strengthen the media's potential to utilise this voice to advocate for the concerns and rights of the minority in society."
Those who belong to minority groups in society frequently experience marginalisation and prejudice.
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