The government is taking steps to adopt the Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill as a government-sponsored Bill, citing the financial implications associated with its passage and implementation. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the move is aimed at streamlining the legislative process and ensuring the effective implementation of the law once passed.
The Bill was reintroduced in Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill shortly before the House went on recess. However, Dr Lartey disclosed that the Attorney-General had already initiated efforts to have the legislation adopted as a government Bill.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, she encouraged Members of Parliament backing the Bill to collaborate with the Attorney-General to facilitate the process. “The Attorney General took it up for government to own it. That is what we want to do,” she said.
Dr Lartey explained that because of the financial implications of progressing the legislation as a Private Member’s Bill, the government was encouraging its parliamentary supporters to work with the Attorney-General to allow the state to take ownership of the Bill and expedite its passage. She added that government sponsorship would also strengthen the implementation of the legislation after it is enacted.
The Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for addressing accusations of witchcraft and related abuses, while protecting, supporting and facilitating the reintegration of people affected by such accusations.
