Pressure Group, Occupy Ghana says unless there is a move to change the deeply-held belief systems and do away with superstitions that witches dwell among us and are responsible for most misfortunes, these assaults and lynching of poor women will not stop.
In a statement, it said what occurred at Kafaba, before the murder happened, was a trial by ordeal, which is a second-degree felony under section 315 or Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Therefore, each person captured on the video as being present is guilty of the misdemeanor of being present when the crime was taking place, under section 316 of the Act.
For their role in not taking any step to prevent the crime, all those persons are guilty of a second degree misdemeanor under section 22 of the Act.
Occupy Ghana is therefore calling for the arrest of everyone who is identified to have been present at the grounds where Akua Denteh was whipped.
Faced with the prospect of jail, the statement said the suspects are very likely to help identify and track all the perpetrators in the murder.
Occupy Ghana said the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) must also step up efforts at educating the population on superstitions and obnoxious customs and practices.
A programme reminding Ghanaians about the need to respect each other’s’ civil and human rights is also needed.
Furthermore, the Gender and Social Protection Ministry should enforce the closure of the so-called ‘Witch Camps’ and allow these poor women and children to re-join society with adequate protection.
It said the Ministry is obligated to offer vocational training to the occupants of the camps to aid their re-integration.
Occupy Ghana impressed upon the media to dedicate its platforms to speaking against mob justice and the branding of older women as witches and lynching them.
