News
Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights visits witches camp, pushes for anti-witchcraft bill
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, working with Amnesty Ghana, has begun a three-day visit to alleged witches’ camps in Northern Ghana to assess living conditions and push for the speedy passage of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, also known as the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill.
Led by Chairman Ernest Yaw Anim, the Committee first paid homage to the Chief of Gambaga, Alhaji Tahiru Tia, before touring the Gambaga Witches’ Camp.
The visit highlighted major human rights concerns, including unsafe shelters, lack of basic amenities, and the struggles of residents who are unable to care for their families due to confinement.
Currently, the Church of Pentecost supports the camp by helping alleged witches engage in productive work to earn income. While some residents say the camp offers them refuge, others lament being cut off from their families.
To ease the situation, the Chief of Gambaga has allocated land to some of the women so they can resettle with their families.
Addressing the residents, Ernest Yaw Anim, assured them of Parliament’s support, stressing that the Committee will work closely with civil society and government to reintegrate victims into society.
He pledged to champion the passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to protect vulnerable people from harmful accusations.
The Committee donated a television set and cash to the camp as part of their visit.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Abena Osei Asare has expressed concerns about the failure of the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Mr. Paul Adjei to honour invitation of the Committee to assist in dealing with abandoned projects cited in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report.
She emphasised that some of the projects have been abandoned for more than 20 years and it kept reoccurring in the Auditor-General’s report yearly, stressing that the GETFund Administrator could assist by prioritising these projects.
However, he has failed to personally appear before the Committee since the commencement of the Committee’s public hearing in the 9th Parliament.
According to the 2024 Auditor-General’s report on Pre-University Educational Institutions, nine (9) Institutions with 16 projects awarded by the GET Fund Secretariat had been abandoned/delayed for a period ranging between three (3) and 28 years.
Some of the affected schools include Adanwomoase Senior High School (Boys and Girls dormitory abandoned for 12 years), Atoa Senior High School (Home Economics Block abandoned for 27 years), Beposo Senior High School (Dinning Hall and Kitchen Complex abandoned for 10 years and lastly KNUST Senior High School (Three storey classroom block abandoned for 20 years).
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy continued its oversight responsibilities with a working visit to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) yesterday.
Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, said the visit formed part of efforts to familiarize members with the Authority’s operations and to explore ways Parliament could provide the necessary support.
He explained that the NPA’s work is focused on regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, a critical area for national energy security.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the Committee is particularly interested in assessing whether the country has adequate petroleum stock to meet demand.
He noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing US–Iran conflict, could have adverse effect on Ghana’s energy supply and pricing.
He further disclosed that the Committee intends to engage closely with the Authority on a proposed new petroleum bill.
According to him, a draft of the legislation will be reviewed and possibly presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
News1 week ago“We are working to transform the Kwahu Business Village into an international conference hub”
- News1 week ago
Kwahu Business Forum:My engagement with President Mahama has boosted my business — Lydia Forson
- News1 week ago
DeniiNoi Foundation Supports Taifa Polyclinic with Medical Equipment
