The fight against witchcraft is more difficult than Covid-19 – Apostle Opoku Onyina

The former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyina has expressed worry in the way and manner a ninety-year old alleged witch was lunched.

He said some religious leaders and Political figures are always behind the attacks on persons believed to practice witchcraft  because of fear.

Thursday, 23 July 2020 was a very sad, dark and shameful day for Ghanaians. It was reported that a woman of 90 years has been lynched. Her death resulted from an accusation by a so-called traditional priest who claimed the woman was a witch. Why should an accused witch be humiliated by being brought to a public gathering and beaten up to death? What were the people who had gathered there doing? Were there not even two people who could rescue this old woman? The challenge has been that our practices have been strengthening false beliefs and practices of those who claim to have powers to arrest or ‘catch’ witches. Those who claim to have those powers include pastors, traditional priests, bishops, apostles and prophets.

READ ALSO:IGP Despatches Homicide Experts to Hunt for ‘Witch’ Murderers.

Some respectable people such as the well-educated in our society, illiterates, chiefs/queens, politicians, Christians, and other religious people consult them (or patronise their services). The fact that these people are often consulted and are given platforms on various TV and radio stations has given them some level of authority and strengthened the wrong notion they share of witchcraft beliefs and practices. The issue at stake now is not whether witchcraft is real or not, but the spread of false beliefs, claims and practices about witchcraft-related issues. The issue of the reality of witchcraft needs to be taken on its own. The Constitution of Ghana does not sanction witchcraft accusations.

Why should we then tolerate accusation against so-called witches, no matter where it comes from? I realised that most people including Christians, pastors, politicians, and royals are afraid of witchcraft.

Thus, once someone claims to have the power to deal with so-called witches, these people support him or her behind the scenes. Unless we embark on a serious education on witchcraft-related issues at all levels including schools, churches, and mosques, the canker of witchcraft will continue to destroy us.

The fight against witchcraft is more difficult than the fight against COVID-19. May the soul of the old lady rest in peace.