NGO launches witches camp integration project

Ngani (N/R), March 20, GNA - Southern Sector Youth and Women's Empowerment Network (SOSYWEN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has launched a Witches Camp Integrated Project, to create awareness about the plight of the inmates at the camps in the Northern Region. The aim of the educational programme, being collaborated by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is aimed at making the youth agents of change to stop all acts inimical to the rights of women. The programme will cover Yendi Municipality, East Mamprusi and Nanumba North districts, where the witches camp are located. The Co-ordinator of SOSYWEN, Ms Zenabu Sakibu who launched the campaign said a number of stakeholders including the Ghana Police Service and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) were part of the programme, which was the outcome of a research undertook by the organisation at the camps.

Ms Sakibu noted that the alleged witches who have been banished from their communities are living under trying conditions in the camps. She expressed the need for the people to demystify the outbreak of diseases in their communities to save the women from being wrongfully accused.

The Yendi Municipal Assembly Deputy Co-ordinating Director, Mr Jimah Yakubu commended SOSYWEN and DANIDA for undertaking the awareness campaign and pledged the support of the assembly to make it a success. The Municipal Director of CHRAJ, Mr Abass Yakubu said the laws of Ghana do not recognise witchcraft as an offence to call for the banishment of people. He said the 1992 constitution protects the rights of every body in the country and whoever infringes on the rights of any body would face the law.

The Senior Programme Officer of the Danish Embassy, Ms Suzan Yemidi said her outfit was much interested in the rights of human beings, hence its support to the NGO to commence the programme two years ago. She expressed the hope that the chiefs would help with the NGO to stamp out the negative practices in their communities. 20 March 10