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Don’t abolish Gambaga Witch Camp - DCE2010-03-10 19:48:35This article has been read 63 times. The District Chief Executive for East Mamprusi, Mr. Adam Imoro has defended with passion and ardor the existence of a witch camp within his district, claiming that the camp is intended for protection and fortification.
In an exclusive interview with Ghanadistricts.com, the DCE claimed that the negative picture that has been painted by a cross section of the media and characterizes the witch camp is not exactly the situation pertaining on the grounds.
Sounding rather mystical and spiritual, he said natives and residents of Northern Ghana generally believe in the existence and operations of witchcraft and witchery for which reason their forefathers considered it prudent to establish a camp where perpetrators would be kept to protect the individuals in question and society at large.
Recounting events leading to a person’s confinement into the camp, Mr. Imoro said whenever one was accused of withcraft in the
communinty, a report is given to the Gambaga-Na (the chief of Gambaga) who inturn performs some rituals in tandem with the chief of the witch camp.
He noted that after the rituals, when the accused, who are predominantly old women are found culpable, they are eventually thrown into the camps to protect them from humiliation and mortification from members of the various households of the community.
“The camp does not only serve the Gambaga Community but also all the sorrounding communities numbering about fifteen, so the belief is widespread and pervasive”, Mr. Imoro said.
He debunked concerns that inmates of the camp generally suffer stigmatisation, isolation and segregation adding that “the camp is even located within the middle of Gambaga which happens to be the capital of the East Mamprusi District”, he noted.
Mr. Imoro said the only source of water for the community, which is a mechanised borehole is situated in the camp “and they enjoy every
amenity the community enjoys”.
He said it would therefore be wrong for people to suggest the abolishment of the camp when it serves the purpose for which it was established for which reason “the practice is permissible and tolerable within the environment”, he asserted.
source: ghanadistricts.com |
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