Initially, they used to kill alleged witches

The Gambaga Witches Camp, long shrouded in mystery and stigma, has taken center stage in discussions about culture and human rights following comments made by Tia Ibrahim, the Minister-Designate for Ghana’s Northeast Region.

During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 27, Ibrahim delved into the camp’s origins and its role in addressing accusations of witchcraft.

“The history of the Gambaga witches camp is very interesting.

“Initially, they used to kill alleged witches, and the then Imam condemned the killings and proposed that they are sent to the traditional priest who had the powers to neutralize the witchery, and that was when they stopped the killings,” Ibrahim explained.

The camp, located in northern Ghana, emerged as a refuge for individuals—mostly women—accused of witchcraft, offering them protection from mob justice.

According to Ibrahim, the camp played a crucial role in transforming how such accusations were handled.

“So the Gambaga witches camp served as a home for the witches, and so when you get there and it proves that you are not a witch, they allow you to go back.

“But if it turns otherwise, then you remain there, and then he uses his spiritual powers to neutralize the witchery in the witch,” he added.