Following a recent documentary titled “THE HORRORS OF WITCHCRAFT ACCUSATION,” produced by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of ApexnewsGh, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum, expressed his concern over the inhumane and unlawful practice of accusing and lynching individuals, particularly old men and women, as witches and wizards. He emphasized the need for a sensitization exercise to educate the youth and chiefs in various communities about the consequences of such actions.
Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum expressed sadness at hearing about instances where individuals are subject to lynching based on allegations of witchcraft. He highlighted the importance of not taking the law into one’s own hands, as judging one’s neighbor is against biblical teachings. He believed that this practice contributed to the calamities experienced within their jurisdictional areas, emphasizing the urgency of organizing sensitization initiatives that primarily target the emotionally-driven youth.
The Paramount Chief lamented the erosion of traditional rights and powers of the chiefs in today’s society. He shared an example where individuals sought refuge in the chief’s palace but were still pursued and lynched. He asserted that such actions demonstrated a complete disregard for authority and disrespect. Consequently, he advocated for the recognition of the roles traditional rulers play and the implementation of policies that would empower them.
Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum expressed doubts about the efficacy of sending people accused of witchcraft to court, noting that cases often linger for over a decade without resolution. He mentioned that the Lynching occurred following the insistence of those making accusations to conduct a trial by ordeal. The Paramount Chief firmly proclaimed that such practices were not allowed by law and refused to agree to them to prevent tensions that could lead to increased instances of lynching.
Furthermore, he highlighted the belief that attributing deaths to witchcraft and taking matters into one’s own hands only resulted in assuming responsibility for the sins committed by the accused. He warned about the detrimental effects of such actions, which could lead to the destruction of families and communities.
When asked about his belief in witchcraft, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum acknowledged its existence, stating that the very term “witchcraft” would not exist if it did not. He cited the invention of the airplane as an example, claiming that the knowledge to fly was rooted in witchcraft. However, he distinguished between the use of witchcraft to develop and the harmful use that leads to destruction.
To address this worrying situation, the paramount chief proposed the use of the media as a tool for sensitization. He suggested involving chiefs and other relevant actors in radio discussions to create awareness and promote understanding. He stressed that if actors did not confirm someone as a witch, there would be no basis for emotional reactions and subsequent lynchings.
Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyarum futher emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach involving sensitization exercises, the recognition of traditional rulers, and the responsibility of religious bodies to combat witchcraft accusations and related violence in Ghanaian society.
The documentary was sponsored by MRG with support from MPEC.
Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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