A 55-year-old woman, Adwoa Adensa, has inflicted machete wounds on an 85-year-old woman after accusing the octogenarian of being a witch.
The incident occurred at Enyan Ankukrom in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District of the Central Region.
According to reports, suspect Adwoa thought that the victim, Abena Kyere, a neighbour, was responsible for her son’s death several years ago.
The suspect stormed the victim’s home on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, and, without provocation, started hacking her with a machete until some family members rushed to intervene.
The victim was left seriously injured in a pool of blood. She was subsequently taken to the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Hospital for medical care, while the suspect fled and went into hiding.
The Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Police Command, in collaboration with the Breman Nkwantanum Police Command, has launched a manhunt for the suspect to get her arrested.
Family members of the victim have called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure that the suspect faces the full consequences.
This is happening despite a ban on witchcraft accusations.
Parliament passed the Criminal Amendment Bill 2022, which criminalises the declaration, accusation, naming or labelling of another person as a witch in Ghana.
The amendment bill, passed on Thursday, July 27, 2023, also forbids anyone from practising as a witch doctor or witchfinder.