In 2020, amidst the global concern over COVID-19, a tragic incident occurred in the rural village of Kafaba, located in East Gonja within the Savannah Region of Ghana. In this small village, the horrific torture of an accused witch named Akuah Denteh was recorded on video, which quickly gained worldwide attention as it spread virally across continents.
The Tragic Witch Trial of Akuah Denteh in Ghana
The issue of accusations of witchcraft in Ghana is a powerfully concerning and troubling matter, as it is based on long-held societal beliefs. Most accused victims, such as 90-year-old Akuah Denteh (pronounced as Ah-kwah Den-teh) have been vulnerable women, who are aged, uneducated, widowed or divorced, and of lower socioeconomic status.
In Ghana, accusations of witchcraft are deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs. Some 300 women falsely accused of witchcraft are spread across five witch camps nationwide. Disregarded by society, they often live in dire conditions. Accused witches often face public humiliation and dehumanization. Accused witches live in constant fear for their safety, knowing that their lives are at risk due to the accusations.
On Thursday, July 23, 2020, Hajia Mohammed Serena and Latifa Bomaye, and many other villagers many hours, tortured a 90-year-old woman named Akua Denteh, who was accused of witchcraft in Kafaba, a small town in East Gonja, the Savannah Region of Ghana.
A recorded video of the murder went viral on social media. The viral video shows how they surrounded the 90-year-old woman, using objects to hit her head, slapping her, and whipping her several times as she sat on the ground. After the beatings, she became unconscious, and the tortures gave her concoctions to drink; then, they took her to her house, where she later died.
On July 5, 2023, the court found Serena and Bomaye guilty and sentenced them to 12 years in prison for their involvement in the murder. Five other people were acquitted, including the chief of the remote community of Kafaba. Denteh's son spoke at the sentencing, his voice trembling with emotion as he delivered a powerful and heartfelt plea for justice and an end to the tragic cycle of witchcraft accusations in their community.
Signs of Witchcraft
The idea of witchcraft in Ghana centers on the notion of individuals having supernatural powers and abilities that can cause harm. It is thought that witchcraft is the origin of misfortune or injury inflicted upon others, often through malicious actions or curses.
In this context, Witches are perceived as supernatural forces who have made a pact with malevolent spirits to gain power and use it to cause harm to others. Witches are not considered human; rather, they are extraterrestrial aliens that killing would be a good thing for the village. The perceived harm can be physical, emotional, or economic, and accusations are made as an attempt to explain misfortune or unfavorable circumstances.
Perceived signs of witchcraft, some common signs and behaviors
Dreaming about someone who later experiences misfortune or death.
Owning unusual or rare animals or objects.
Being a loner or living in isolation.
Engaging in practices such as herbal medicine can be misinterpreted as witchcraft.
Having physical abnormalities or deformities.
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| Torture of accused witch Akuah Denteh |
Accusations of witchcraft are flippant
- Sudden illness or death of a person, especially if it occurs after an argument or conflict with the accused individual.
- Droughts, crop failures, or other natural disasters are seen as a result of supernatural interference.
- Economic hardships or other misfortunes within the community.
- Fertility issues, miscarriages, or infant mortality.
- Envy, jealousy, or personal conflicts among community members.
- Strange behavior or actions perceived as abnormal or unusual.
Ghana Witch Camps
Akuah Denteh never had the opportunity to escape to a witch camp. An estimated 1,000 women live in witch camps scattered around Ghana’s Northern region and are counted as the lucky ones who escaped death.
These women have been ostracized from their communities by voluntarily fleeing or being banished forcibly into witch camps.
Ghana has six witch camp communities in its Northern region in Gambaga, Kukuo, Kpatinga, Boyasi, Naabuli, and Ngnani villages. The history of these camps dates back several decades, and some have existed for generations.
The primary purpose of witch camps is to provide shelter and protection to individuals who have been accused of practicing witchcraft. These accusations are often made during times of misfortune, illness, or other social problems within the community. Accusations of witchcraft can lead to severe consequences, including violence, banishment, and even death.
Witch Trials are Current News
Most residents of Ghana's witch camps are elderly women. These women are often vulnerable due to their age and lack of familial support, making them more susceptible to accusations of witchcraft. Accusations may arise from envy, personal conflicts, or a desire to scapegoat someone for misfortune in the community.
Traditional beliefs and practices hold significant influence in these regions, and beliefs in witchcraft are deeply rooted in the local communities. Residents of the witch camps face social stigmatization within and in broader Ghanaian society. The label witch carries significant negative connotations and can result in isolation and exclusion.
Traditional healers and spiritual leaders, such as witch doctors or fetish priests, influence these regions significantly. Their practices often involve the identification of witches or sorcerers responsible for misfortunes, further perpetuating beliefs in witchcraft.
In the case of the 90-year-old woman, Akua Denteh, who was accused of witchcraft and tortured to death, the fetish priestess of the village Hajia Filina, performed chanting and dancing, during which she revealed that Denteh was a witch. After Filina's revelation, the villagers subjected Denteh to torture and death.
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| Akuah Denteh |
Life of Accused Witch Akuah Denteh
In the village of Kafaba, farmer Akuah Denteh's family lived. Among eight siblings, she was the cherished second-born. Denteh embraced motherhood with grace, nurturing seven precious lives—two boys and four girls. As her oldest child reached the remarkable milestone of 70 years when she was killed.
Denteh worked as a farmer, providing for her family and community. Lacking formal education, she gained wisdom from the earth, becoming a keeper of traditional knowledge. Denteh was not the darkness believed by malevolent villagers; she was a loving mother, grandmother of 21, great-grandmother, and a resilient widow with the strength of a thousand souls.
In Kafaba, her memory endures, etched into the lives she touched. May her soul find rest among her ancestors, inspiring generations to come.
