Old age cannot be synonymous to witchcraft - Naana Opoku-Agyemang

The running mate to NDC’s flabearer John Dramani Mahama, Professor Jana Naana Opoku-Agyemang has condemned the lynching of a 90-year-old woman in the Savannah Region.

The incident happened on Thursday, July 23, 2020 in the East Gonja Municipality.

In a Facebook post, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the elderly in Ghanaian society deserve love and protection, "not this level of unspeakable cruelty".

"Old age cannot be synonymous to witchcraft. It is time to build a fair, just and gender sensitive society that respects and values everyone, no matter their age".

She was also hopeful that the security agencies will swiftly investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

What happened?

The Savannah Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Enoch Adutwum Bediako told Graphic Online that at about 4pm on Thursday, July 23, 2020, Mahama Salami aged 60 years of Mempeasem, a suburb of Salaga reported to the police that he had received information at 11 am from his sister, Mahama Memuna that his mother, Akua Denteh aged 90 had been accused of being a witch.

This was because a certain fetish priest in the area had said so.

DCOP Bediako said based on that the old woman was subjected to severe beatings by Tanko and his accomplices until she became unconscious and died.

He said when the matter was reported to the Salaga Police they proceeded to the scene at Kafaba, which is about 21 kilometres from Salaga and saw the lifeless body of the victim.

He said an inspection conducted on the body of the victim revealed a cut on the forehead and bruises on the right arm.

After processing the scene as part of investigations, the body was sent to the TTH mortuary for preservation.

DCOP Bediako said the police are on the heels of those who perpetrated the act for the law to deal with them.

The issue of witchcraft allegations, especially against old women are widespread in the northern part of Ghana.

Read her entire post below;

My attention has been drawn to the most despicable act of lynching of a 90-year-old-woman at Kafaba in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savanna Region.

I condemn in the strongest terms this barbaric act which has left me, like many I can imagine, deeply sad, indeed.

The elderly in our society rather deserve our love and protection, not this level of unspeakable cruelty.

Old age cannot be synonymous to witchcraft. It is time to build a fair, just and gender sensitive society that respects and values everyone, no matter their age.

It is my expectation that the security agencies will swiftly investigate and bring the culprits to justice.

Moving forward, I hope we shall all work together to raise the level of public education to forestall such tragic occurrences.

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and may the soul of this unfortunate victim rest in peace.