The Nexus Between Socio-cultural Beliefs and Fundamental Human Rights Abuse Amongst Victims of Witches’ Accusations in Rural Communities in the Northern Part of Ghana

Abstract

Ghana, as a member of the United Nations, is a signatory to its human rights standards. However, socio-cultural belief systems in Ghana, such as witchcraft accusations, show some divergence between socio-cultural belief systems and the modern concept of human rights. This study sought to critically analyse how socio-cultural belief systems relate, contradict and trample on the fundamental human rights of persons accused of witchcraft practices. The study employed a qualitative method where interviews were conducted with 37 participants. The participants were mainly persons accused of witchcraft practices living in the Gambaga Camp. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews through personal face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. A thematic approach was used in the data analysis. The study found that the victims of witchcraft accusations have a distinctive conceptualization of human rights. The respondents classified human rights to include social and cultural rights, economic rights, civil and political rights and legal rights. The study further found that some of the participants were aware of some rights standards as provided by the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, which relates to the current conditions of persons accused of witchcraft practices. It was recommended that governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, traditional leaders and community members help in promoting human rights awareness by emphasizing the importance of equality, dignity and respect for individuals accused of witchcraft practices.