FIDA expresses concern about activities of witch doctors

Bolgatanga, July 16, GNA - The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has expressed concern about the emerging witchcraft centres in some parts of the Upper East Region.

The Federation, cited a recent incident involving one Mrs Comfort Aseka, a 57- year- old woman, who was accused of witchcraft by her family, who sent her to a witch doctor at Zaare in the Bolgatanga Municipality, where she was stripped naked and detained for a number of days.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mr David Atinga, Regional FIDA Programme Co-ordinator said Mrs Azeka was accused by her parents of bewitching a girl who was staying with her.

He said some family members of the woman reported the incident to his outfit and he therefore accompanied them to engage the witch doctor in a dialogue to release the victim.

Mr Atinga said the witch doctor refused to

co-operate and so he was compelled to make a complaint at the local Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, where two police officers who were dispatched to mediate on behalf of the victim could not resolve the dialogue.

He said Mrs Atinga was made to undergo strange rituals, which included the drinking of some concoctions.

Mr Atinga noted that majority of people in the Region believe in witchcraft and blame the least misfortune that befalls them on witches.

He said there are records that in the Bongo District some people especially old women had been lynched on suspicion that they possessed witchcraft.

The Programme Co-ordinator said FIDA is therefore calling for the immediate investigation into the activities of witch doctors for punitive measures to be taken against them as well as those who condone their activities.

FIDA also asked DOVVSU to be more vigilant and initiate proactive measures to detect and handle such human right abuses.