How RuWYEDA is Fighting Witchcraft Accusations in Northern Ghana: Giving Hope to the Accused

We look at what is happening in Northern Ghana where many vulnerable people are targeted by witchcraft allegations. The Rural Women & Youth Empowerment for Development Agency (RuWYEDA) is doing its best to help these people and create a future where accusations are a thing of the past.

by Olivia Haes

29 March, 2025

In Northern Ghana, many women, children, and other vulnerable people continue to be targeted by witchcraft allegations. These allegations often stem from unexplained illnesses or deaths in a family or mere suspicion, fuelled by beliefs in witchcraft that are deeply rooted in cultural traditions passed down through the generations.

Many accused people face violence and abuse and may be exiled from their own families and local communities, leaving their lives in ruins. Often, they find themselves in camps that have been set up specifically for those accused of witchcraft. These are settlements where the victims can flee to for safety, but these camps are severely lacking in resources and support.

The Rural Women & Youth Empowerment for Development Agency (RuWYEDA) is fighting to combat this injustice and change this narrative. This not-for-profit, non-political, non-governmental agency is committed to education, advocacy, and direct support, striving to end harmful witchcraft accusations and provide security for those affected.

Stories From the Camps

Women accused of witchcraft are living in fear and struggling to survive after being cast out of their communities. Amongst many, here are just two of these heartbreaking stories.

Tipaga’s Story

Tipaga, a widow from a community called Saambig, was living in a polygamous home when she was accused of being responsible for the deaths of her husband and her husband’s second wife. She was later sent to a camp for people accused of witchcraft. Not only had she lost a loved one, but she also lost her livelihood. She has remained at this camp for years and is struggling to get by, scavenging for discarded grains in the marketplace to help her and her grandchild survive.

Waanjonyab’s Story

Waanjonyab, from the community of Yidaani in Gushegu, was accused of causing her husband’s eldest son’s wife’s minor headaches. Following this, she was unjustly accused of having spiritual powers and causing the woman’s pain. Waanjonyab was then beaten grotesquely by her stepson, to the point of death, even while pregnant. Despite her injuries, she was banished from the community and brought forcibly to a camp for people accused as witches, left to fend for herself.

These two stories are just a sample of the many stories from women trapped in this cycle of accusation and banishment. But organisations like RuWYEDA are offering hope and working to taking concrete steps to break this cycle of injustice.

How RuWYEDA is fighting back

RuWYEDA strives for peace and youth empowerment for development in these northern Ghanian communities. It was formed in 2019 and empowers the vulnerable, marginalised, and under-privileged – particularly the elderly, women, and children. They aim to create an environment for social cohesion, one without these outdated beliefs in witchcraft.

RuWYEDA’s goal is to get to a point where camps for people accused as witches are no longer needed, and all members of a community can live peacefully together without unjust ostracisation. To do this, they believe it is necessary to gradually shift deeply rooted beliefs, preparing the minds of members of entire communities to reject the outdated beliefs in witchcraft and negative and violent spirituality. The title of their project is Say No to Witchcraft Accusations and Outmoded Cultural Practices.

Collaboration and Partnership

RuWYEDA works in partnership with many different agencies and other non-governmental organisations within the area to help the service run more effectively. Amongst others, these partnerships include:

·       Ghana Education Service

·       Department of Agriculture

·       Women for Change

·       Opportunity International

·       Community Development & Social Welfare, Ghana

·       Commission on Human Rights & Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), etc.

In addition, RuWYEDA actively takes part in other associations, such as Ghana Chapter Catalyst 2030, which is working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is a member of the Grassroot Justice Network (GJN), ensuring justice delivery for all manner of persons.

Strategic Objectives

RuWYEDA has adopted a strategic approach to helping to address the challenges faced by the accused people in camps for those accused of witchcraft. Their aims include raising awareness, intensifying community sensitisation campaigns, and providing support through food, shelter, healthcare, and education. Additionally, they aim to:

·       Engage with people in positions of power in the communities, such as religious leaders and traditional leaders.

·       Create employment opportunities through technical and vocational training, providing tools and resources to train the accused persons.

·       Construct fences to protect elderly and vulnerable women who are often exposed to thievery, assault, and sexual harassment by members of the community.

·       Annual cultivation of food crops including vegetables to ensure food security at all the camps that have been set up for people accused of witchcraft.

·       Soliciting for Support for Radio Equipment to establish a community radio station(s) within these communities to intensify on our education and sensitisation programs on the media. These radio station(s) will serve as a voice for the voiceless, reaching out to hard-to-reach communities within our zone of influence.

Challenges Faced

As with most similar organisations, RuWYEDA faces many challenges and constraints that limit the full execution of its initiatives. Financial constraints are some of the biggest hurdles and mean that the organisation sometimes struggles to efficiently and effectively implement programs and activities.

Another major challenge is transportation limitations. For field visits, the organisation needs a vehicle and strong motorbikes to cross the poor road networks, but these are expensive. Without these, RuWYEDA’s monitoring visits and emergency interventions are affected. Other barriers include inadequate technology, which slows progress for day-to-day administrative work.

Success and Looking Ahead

Despite these setbacks, the organisation remains firmly committed to its mission and has seen countless successes in the community, even just in its brief history.

In partnership with Lancaster University and The International Network Against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices (INAWARA), the organisation took part in an international photography competition, which was organised for local and international organisations fighting for the rights of women accused of witchcraft. The organisation won third place.

They have also supported the children of the accused women through providing learning materials and contributing some funding towards school fees. And this is just a brief overview of the many things the organisation has successfully done for the community.

The fight against witchcraft accusations is far from over, but the organisation is doing everything it can to push forward. The envisioned goal is a future where no person in the community is falsely accused or forced to live in exile. The road ahead may be challenging but RuWYEDA is confident that lasting change is possible – the organisation is not just changing lives but reshaping the future for generations to come.

Contact details of head office and key contact person

KEY CONTACT PERSON:  BAWA ABDULAI YAKUB (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RuWYEDA)

POST OFFICE BOX GU.12

GUSHEGU –NORTHER REGION (TAMALE) – GHANA

TEL: +233(0)542588714/ +233(0)506774363/+233(0)246307329

EMAIL: gruyeda.gushegu2000@gmail.com or ruwyeda.ghana.e4d@gmail.com