Painter ordered to pay GH¢6200 as fine, compensation for calling neighbour witch

A magistrate court in Hohoe has fined a 31-year-old painter GH¢1,200 for verbally abusing his neighbor by accusing her of witchcraft and making derogatory remarks about her appearance.

The man, identified as Fia Foli Philip, was also ordered to pay GH¢5,000 in compensation to the complainant and has been warned never to repeat the defamatory accusation.

The presiding judge, Joseph Y. Kunsong, handed down the sentence following a plea by the prosecution for a punitive measure that would discourage similar conduct in the future. Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, who led the prosecution, argued that accusing elderly women of witchcraft was not only harmful but culturally inappropriate and socially disruptive.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on December 28, 2021. Standing in front of the complainant’s house, Philip openly called her a witch and accused her of being responsible for the death of a man known as Musa. He went further to insult her, claiming that her “flesh is bitter” and warning her to “tell whoever sent you to me that you cannot kill me.”

The complainant, who was at home with her physically challenged daughter during the outburst, subsequently reported the matter to the police at Gbi-Bla. Her daughter later served as a witness in court.

Philip was arrested shortly after and charged with offensive conduct and defamation.

The court's ruling is seen as a strong message against stigmatizing and verbally abusing older women under the guise of cultural beliefs.