By Agnes Makafui Zokah
A growing practice of publicly accusing individuals of being spiritually responsible for the death, illness or misfortune of relatives is raising serious concerns about human rights, personal safety and family cohesion in Ghana.
The phenomenon, described by human rights advocates as “spiritual defamation,” has become increasingly visible on social media, where allegations that were once confined to family discussions and community gatherings are now broadcast through Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and other digital platforms.
The trend has created a dangerous intersection between traditional beliefs, family tensions and modern technology, with victims potentially exposed to public humiliation, social exclusion, threats and physical attacks.
In many cases, the accusations emerge following an unexpected death, prolonged illness, financial difficulties or another tragedy within a family.
Instead of focusing on the circumstances surrounding the misfortune, some relatives may resort to blaming another family member, alleging that the person used spiritual means to cause the problem.
Such accusations can have devastating consequences, particularly when they are amplified through social media.
From Family Suspicion to Public Persecution
Ghana has a long history of traditional and spiritual beliefs, and discussions about the spiritual causes of illness, death and misfortune remain part of life in some communities.
However, the increasing use of social media to publicise such allegations has introduced a new and potentially dangerous dimension.
A person accused publicly of being a witch, spiritual attacker or the cause of another person’s death can quickly become the target of intense online abuse and hostility.
The situation can become even more serious when videos, photographs, voice notes or personal information are circulated widely without verification.
What may begin as a family dispute can therefore develop into a wider campaign involving relatives, community members and strangers who have little or no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the original allegation.
Serious Consequences for Victims
The consequences for people subjected to such accusations can be severe.
First, public accusations may expose victims to threats of violence or physical attacks. Once an individual is portrayed as responsible for another person’s suffering or death, hostile members of a community may feel justified in confronting or punishing the accused.
Second, victims may suffer social and economic isolation. Family members, neighbours, customers and business associates may distance themselves from them because of the allegations.
In some situations, the accused may be forced to leave their homes or communities because they fear for their safety.
Children of accused persons can also become victims of the stigma. They may face bullying, ridicule and exclusion at school and within their communities because of allegations made against their parents.
There is also a significant psychological impact. Being publicly accused by relatives or community members can cause fear, humiliation, anxiety and emotional distress, particularly when the allegations are repeatedly circulated online.
Social Media and the Spread of Unverified Claims
The rapid spread of information on social media has made the problem more difficult to contain.
A voice note recorded during an emotionally charged family dispute can be forwarded to hundreds or thousands of people within minutes. A video posted on TikTok or Facebook can attract comments and accusations from people who have no direct knowledge of the matter.
The danger is that repeated circulation can make an allegation appear credible even when there is no evidence to support it.
Social media users therefore have an important responsibility to avoid sharing unverified allegations, particularly when such information could place another person’s life or safety at risk.
The Law Must Apply
Traditional beliefs and spiritual convictions do not place individuals above Ghana’s laws.
Where an allegation becomes a threat, harassment, unlawful publication or other criminal conduct, affected persons may seek protection through the appropriate law-enforcement and legal institutions.
Ghana’s legal framework provides mechanisms for addressing threats, harassment, defamation and certain forms of harmful online conduct. However, the precise offence and applicable law will depend on the facts of each case.
Victims who receive death threats or face immediate danger should report the matter to the Ghana Police Service, while cases involving online activity may also require the attention of the appropriate cybercrime authorities.
Individuals who believe their fundamental rights have been violated may also seek assistance from institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and qualified legal practitioners.
Preserving Evidence
People who become victims of online accusations should avoid responding with further threats or inflammatory statements.
Instead, they should preserve evidence.
Screenshots, videos, voice notes, messages, usernames, dates, links and other relevant information should be safely kept, particularly where threats or harassment are involved.
Such evidence can assist law-enforcement agencies and lawyers in determining what occurred and identifying those responsible.
A Call for Restraint and Responsible Communication
Ghana’s traditional values are built around community, family and respect for human dignity. Those values should not be undermined by accusations that can place innocent people in danger.
Grief following the death or illness of a loved one can be overwhelming, but grief should not become a justification for targeting another family member.
Traditional and religious leaders, community authorities, journalists and social media users all have a role to play in discouraging the spread of unverified spiritual accusations.
Families facing tragedy should seek evidence, medical explanations and lawful avenues for resolving disputes rather than resorting to public accusations.
The growing use of digital platforms means that words spoken in anger can travel far beyond the original family dispute. Once published online, they can remain accessible long after the circumstances that produced them have passed.
Ghana must therefore confront the emerging danger at the intersection of tradition, spirituality and social media.
Respect for tradition must go hand in hand with respect for human rights, due process and the dignity of every individual.
No accusation—spiritual, traditional or otherwise—should become a licence to threaten another person’s life, destroy their reputation or tear an entire family apart.