'Witches' at Kpatinga celebrate Mothers' Day

Action Aid Ghana, a non-governmental organization, has put smiles on the faces of alleged witches at Kpatinga in the Gushegu District of Northern Region.

The 41 inmates were given 30 bags of rice and four gallons of oil to celebrate this year's Mothers Day.

In addition, the organisation in collaboration with the Tamale Teaching Hospital screened them on some diseases including Hepatitis B, blood pressure, Malaria and worms infection.

Drugs were given to them at free costs, without NHIA cards.

The Program Officer of Action Aid Ghana, Mrs Alia Abdul-Mu'min, said her organization has been able to integrate about 400 alleged witches back to their families since 2012.

The theme of the celebration, ‘Alleged Witches Are Our Mothers. Let's Celebrate Them’, was aimed at appreciating the struggles and contribution of mothers and the joy mothers bring to the lives of their children.

She pointed out that a comprehensive multi-stakeholder committee has been constituted and a common plan collectively developed to ensure more integration of the alleged witches into their families.

Mrs Abdul-Mu’min said her outfit has worked in the camps for over six years, seeking to address the basic needs such as food, water, shelter, economic livelihoods skills and heath care of victims.

She said their main aim is to “stop the human abuses associated with witch craft accusations and restore their dignity”.

The chief of the village, Adam Musah, said their major problem is feeding the alleged witches.

He commended World Vision Ghana for giving them decent accommodation and a borehole to reduce their stress in search for water.

The oldest inmate is 80-year-old Tipaga Nina, who has spent eight years in the camp.

The chief said three of the inmates were integrated into their families last week, making a total of 10 women from the camp.

The District Welfare Officer, Dokurugu Tia, said there are 163 inmates in the area and all of them have been registered with NHIS and are processing their documents for them to have access to the LEAP programme.