THE MINISTER for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, joined stakeholders over the week in commemorating the fifth anniversary of the tragic lynching of Madam Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman killed in Kafaba in 2020 over false witchcraft accusations.
Held at Christ the King Parish in Accra, the event was organized by The Sanneh Institute under the theme, “Witchcraft Accusation Destroys More Than Lives.” It brought together civil society organizations, traditional leaders, women’s groups, legal experts, and human rights advocates to call for an end to harmful traditional practices.
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Hon. Momo Lartey described the incident as a national tragedy and a stark reminder of the gender-based violence faced by elderly women in Ghana.
“This is not just a regional issue—it is a national crisis. When women are brutalized in the name of tradition, we diminish our collective humanity,” the Minister read.
The Vice President’s statement applauded organizations like ActionAid Ghana, Songtaba, and The Sanneh Institute for pushing for the criminalization of witchcraft accusations and supporting survivors.
Hon. Lartey also shared progress made under a historic initiative to close down witch camps, including the successful reintegration of 55 women from the Bonyasi camp. She reiterated government’s commitment to reviving and strengthening such efforts.
“The time for symbolic gestures is over. The time for action is now,” she urged.
The event ended with a memorial march in honour of Madam Denteh and renewed calls for legislation and education to combat stigma and violence against women accused of witchcraft.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
