Francis-Xavier Sosu Calls on President Akufo-Addo to Sign Anti-Witchcraft Bill Before Leaving Office

Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for Madina, is calling on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sign the Anti-Witchcraft Bill into law before his term ends. The 2023 bill, once enacted, would criminalize witch-finding and the labeling of individuals as witches.

Despite the bill’s passage by Parliament, incidents of violence, particularly against the elderly accused of witchcraft, continue to occur. A recent case in Nyambong in the Oti Region saw an elderly man brutally attacked over allegations of wizardry.

President Akufo-Addo has expressed concerns about the financial implications of signing the bill into law. However, speaking to Citi News, Sosu condemned these ongoing attacks and criticized the president’s hesitance, arguing that it emboldens perpetrators.

Sosu emphasized that the advocacy against such violence remains incomplete without corresponding legislation. He urged the president to demonstrate his commitment to human rights and the protection of the elderly by signing the bill before leaving office, dismissing the concerns raised by the president as unfounded.

“The bill underwent thorough processes before its passage, and the reasons cited for the delay in signing are not tenable,” Sosu stated. He believes that the president’s action on this matter would be a significant step towards safeguarding the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals in Ghana.