The organisation said many women accused of witchcraft and living in camps across northern Ghana were elderly, vulnerable and in need of targeted state support to improve their living conditions.

The call was made during a Mother’s Day celebration organised by Songtaba for inmates of the Kpatinga Alleged Witches Camp in the Gushegu Municipality of the Northern Region.

The event formed part of efforts by the organisation and its partners to show solidarity and support for women accused of witchcraft and living in camps.

Songtaba donated assorted food items, including five bags of rice, five bags of maize, 15 cartons of water, 65 cartons of assorted Twellium drinks, boxes of cooking oil, canned fish, toiletries, clothing and hot meals to support the inmates.

Other items such as chairs and cooking utensils were also presented to help improve living conditions at the camp.

The programme featured clean-up exercises, self-care activities, livelihood support initiatives such as soap making, as well as music, drama and dance performances aimed at restoring dignity and creating a sense of belonging for the women.

Hajia Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of Songtaba, said the celebration formed part of the organisation’s annual Mother’s Day outreach to alleged witches camps across northern Ghana.

She noted that many women at the camps had been separated from their families and communities for several years following accusations of witchcraft.

“We have had some of the women staying here for more than a decade away from home and family,” she said.

Hajia Lamnatu explained that the Kpatinga camp was selected for this year’s celebration because it was among the least populated camps and often received limited humanitarian support.

She appealed to the government to ensure that inmates of alleged witches camps benefited from the LEAP Programme and other essential social interventions.

She said many of the camps lacked basic amenities such as decent shelter and potable water, making life difficult for the women.

“As much as we do not want the camps to exist, we must ensure that while they are there, conditions are at least habitable,” she said.

Hajia Lamnatu renewed calls for the passage and enforcement of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to help curb witchcraft accusations and the banishment of women from their communities.

“It is unacceptable for women in this 21st century to be banished from their homes because of witchcraft accusations,” she stressed.

She further called for intensified community sensitisation involving traditional authorities, religious leaders and the youth to address stigma and harmful cultural practices associated with witchcraft accusations.

She also advocated policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting women’s economic empowerment, describing poverty and illiteracy as major drivers of witchcraft accusations.

Mr Adam Baba, representative of the Chief of Kpatinga, commended Songtaba and its partners for supporting the women and appealed to other organisations and philanthropists to emulate the gesture.

Madam Zenabu Azumah, an inmate of the camp, appealed for improved living conditions and stronger legal measures to prevent the banishment of accused persons to such camps. She also expressed appreciation to Songtaba and its partners for celebrating Mother’s Day with them.