Witch Camps Near Disbandment

The committee which was established to map-out a comprehensive strategy to disband the entire nation’s alleged witch camps has submitted its report to government.

The roadmap when implemented will lead to the disbandment and reintegration of about 6000 alleged witches camped at isolated localities in the northern region of the country.

The Deputy Country Director/Head of Programmes of Action Aid-Ghana, Mr. Yakubu Saani disclosed this to northernghana.com at the Nongovernmental Organisation's two-day all-partners forum in Tamale.

The forum sought to reflect on the achievements of the international NGO and its partners to enable them chart a new path towards better attainment of their goals.

He reiterated Action Aid-Ghana’s commitment towards the disbandment of the said inhumane practice and called on government to fast track the roadmap’s implementation.

“A speedy implementation of the roadmap will lead to the disbandment of all the six alleged witch camps scattered across the northern region,” he stated.

Mr. Saani Yakubu also stressed the need for Non Governmental Organizations to reposition themselves to face the challenges associated with the new Ghana that has gained a middle income status.

“Ever since Ghana attained a middle income status; the multi donor budget support is now been channeled through central government and this is affecting NGO’s external sources of funding.”

He bemoaned that the situation has compelled Action Aid-Ghana and its allied bodies to internally mobilize additional funding to be able to fully implement their projects.

“Action Aid-Ghana staff for the past three years have sacrificed and contributed GHC 30,000 cedis to sustain our programmes” he said

Mr. Saani noted with deep concern that disparities in resource allocation to under-developed communities in the north will continue to deepen the poverty levels unless government and NGO’s strengthen their ties.

Some of Actionaid's partners present at the forum included SONGTABA, Grameen Ghana, CALID, NORSAAC, Ark Foundation Abantu, SODIA, CARD, TUDRIDEP and BONATADO. Preceding the forum was an exhibition by all the partners.