Why Gambaga Witches Camp must remain operational — Atik Mohammed

Contrary to calls suggesting the closedown of the Gambaga Witches Camp, a segregated community within Gambaga township in the Northern Region, policy adviser and former General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed, believes the place must remain operational.

Established in the 18th century, the Gambaga Witches Camp accommodates alleged witches and wizards who are banished from their communities. Despite education campaigns carried out in the past years, the beliefs in witchcrafts continue to grow stronger in the area.

Opposing to the closure of the facility in a discussion on Peace FM's flagship morning show, Kokrokoo, Atik Mohammed disclosed that the camp rather protects the alleged witches from being lynched.

He explained that the main reason behind the establishment of the said facility was to house alleged witches, especially the aged women who have been ejected by their relatives from their family houses. According to him, the alleged witches are dragged to the camp, purify them and find them jobs.

"Some of the residents were lynching them so a Gambaga chief who lived centuries ago, established this camp to give protection to the women who were labelled as witches... that's the main motive behind the establishment of the facility and not to send people there to suffer", he disclosed.

He, however, cautioned against the closedown of the camp as many have suggested in recent times. To Atik, the rate of assault against the supposed witches and wizards would be on the increase.

"Chairman, closing the Gambaga Witches Camp will make matters worse. The people at the facility enjoy some kind of protection, they're given food and provided farming jobs. Once the facility is shut down, some of the residents will harm those who'll be accused as witches and I'm afraid the rate of lynching will be on the rise in the area", Atik told host, Kwame Sefa Kayi.

Source: Ghana Guardian