Consultative workshop on witch camps ends

Yendi (N/R), Nov 16, GNA - A one-day workshop on witch camps organized by southern sector Youth and Women's Empowerment Network for district assembly members, faith-based organization, representatives of Muslim and Christians Council of Ghana, traditional authorities, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justices, National Commission on Civic Education, Department of Social Welfare among others has ended in Yendi. In her closing remarks the Southern Sector Youth and Women's Empowerment Network Coordinator, Miss Zenabu Sakibu, said the Southern Sector Youth Women's Empowerment Network (SOSYWEN) was an organization that advocates for the empowerment of women and youth.

Miss Sakibu said SOSYWEN was interested in assisting communities in the Northern Region to address the welfare of women branded as witches at Ngani in the Yendi Municipality, Kukuo in the Nanumba North and Gambaga. She said a team of SOSYWEN would be back in those camps early next year to organize similar workshops on its findings.

Miss Sakibu said conditions in the witches' villages were deplorabl and appealed to the people and traditional leaders of the area to examine the treatment meted to those accused of witch craft and to make it impossible for the people to easily victimize others by accusing them. The participants urged Department of Social Welfare, benevolent, non-governmental organizations and faith-based organizations to support the Yendi Municipal Assembly, Nanumba North and Gambaga District Assemblies to bring relief to residents of the witch villages. 16 Nov 09