Woman, 60, shot dead In North East Region Over witchcraft Accusation

Tragic Killing in North East Region Sparks Outrage Over Witchcraft Accusation

Janga, West Mamprusi Municipality, Ghana – September 25, 2023: A 60-year-old woman, Musah Azaratu Poanaa, was fatally shot on Sunday, September 24, following accusations of witchcraft against her. Eyewitnesses report that the perpetrators, believed to be the sons of the man she was accused of bewitching, carried out the tragic act.

Musah Asana, the distraught daughter of the deceased, recounted the horrifying events, stating that her mother was shot after the assailants fired warning shots upon entering their home. Asana expressed the anguish of her family, stating, “They said my mother was a witch. Today [24 September] they killed my mother but it was yesterday [23 September] that they came to the house and said my mother was going to kill their father, so because of that, they will also kill my mother.”

Demanding justice, Asana implored the authorities to apprehend the alleged perpetrators, identified as Abila and Fatau. She emphasized, “They’ve not arrested them yet. They went to their house and they ran away. I just want them [the police] to arrest them and jail them for life”, as reported by Asaase Radio’s respondent.

The police have, thus far, refrained from providing official comments on the matter.

This tragic incident has reignited the call for stronger legal protection for individuals accused of witchcraft in Ghana. Notably, Ghana’s parliament passed a bill aimed at safeguarding such individuals, criminalizing any form of abuse or expulsion from communities. This legislative response comes after the brutal lynching of a 90-year-old woman in Kafaba, East Gonja Municipality, in July 2020, an event that garnered widespread condemnation from both local and international human rights organizations. 

The incident in Janga stands as a stark reminder of the urgency to address deeply rooted superstitions and ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals, regardless of accusations levied against them.