In most rural communities in Ghana and especially northern Ghana, when someone dies the question asked is not what caused the death, but who.
Belief in witchcraft has been a part of African culture for centuries. Some people are believed to have spiritual powers that enable them to influence the actions or destiny of others, especially for evil purposes.
Thus, when a death occurs, surviving family members must “smoke out” the culprit through the art of divination. And, in most cases, impoverished widows become the victims of the witch hunt.
These alleged witches are taken to isolated parts of towns or villages to live in areas designated as “witch camps.” This is after they have been separated from their families, beaten, disgraced, and exposed to public ridicule.
Christian Outreach Fellowship seeks to alleviate poverty among these women through income-generating activities and by bringing the women together to reduce their loneliness as a result of ostracism.
COF is actively working with local leaders who acknowledge that this practice needs to change.
In time, our hope is to witness the eradication of this destructive practice so that these women can be restored to their families and communities.
Gifts to this project will provide food, soap, and other basic necessities to the women.
Project leaders will also invite them to take part in health education programmes and help them register under the national health insurance programme to ensure their health needs are taken care of.
Gifts of any size will help this project.
