| Yhteenveto: | Witchcraft accusations are seen as something that was part of the medieval past; however, they remain a searing concern for Northern Ghana, disproportionately targeting elderly women and perpetuating gendered injustices. This study analyses the power dynamics and intersectionalities involved in these accusations, focussing on how accusations are experienced by alleged witches and shaped by key actors in them. Inspired by a critical ethnographic approach, the study draws upon in-depth interviews (of 32 alleged witches and 2 traditional priests in Gnani-Tindang and Kpatinga witch camps), supplemented by documentary analysis, in examining the structural and cultural factors underpinning these accusations. Theoretically, intersectionality and Foucault's power/knowledge provide the analytical lens for the study. While intersectionality emphasises how social identities interact to create a unique form of vulnerability for accused women, Foucault's power/knowledge conception highlights how key actors with perceived knowledge of witchcraft justify accusations. The study demonstrated that witchcraft accusations follow a structured process, starting with specific triggers like sickness, nightmares, death, misfortunes or suspicions, ending up at witch-finding shrines, where these actors determine the guilt or exoneration. Further evidence was the femininization of witchcraft, as elderly and economically disadvantaged women, and those perceived to deviate from their gender roles, were accused and banished into deplorable conditions in witch camps. Accusations were then used as a social control mechanism and to reinforce gendered power relations. This study advances the broader conversations on gender, power, and cultural practices by highlighting how these accusations are used as instruments for maintaining gendered injustices and structural inequalities in Ghana and beyond. It prompts measures that address practices that underpin witchcraft accusations, including transforming traditional justice systems, public sensitization, and legal protection for accused persons. Future research can concentrate on the perspectives of accusers, community members, and accused men to provide a comprehensive understanding and interventions for witchcraft-related issues.
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