SVD Lay Partners support women accused of witchcraft at Gusheagu ‘Old Ladies Camp’

The Lay Partners of the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), Ghana Province, have donated clothes and food items to vulnerable women living at the “Old Ladies Camp” in Gusheagu in the Northern Region.

The donation was made on Saturday, 12 September 2026, by members of the SVD Lay Partners from the St Arnold Janssen SVD Community in Tesano, Accra, as part of efforts to support women who have been labelled as witches and are living in vulnerable conditions.

The items were presented on behalf of the Lay Partners by Rev. Fr Nicholas Aazine, SVD, Coordinator for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) of the SVD Ghana Province.

The presentation formed part of a visit to the camp by SVD personnel and parish JPIC representatives who were in Yendi for a two-day workshop on justice, peace and integrity of creation.

The workshop was facilitated by Sr Paschalina Gyereh, SSpS, Bro John Akuffo, SVD, and Fr Nicholas Aazine, SVD.

Receiving the items were Rev. Fr Bensasi Egidius Melchides, SVD, Assisting Parish Priest, on behalf of the Parish Priest and caretaker of the camp, Rev. Fr Isaac Anim-Ado, SVD; the SVD Yendi District Superior, Very Rev. Fr Bere Blolong Bernadus; and one of the leaders of the camp.

The support was welcomed by the SVD Yendi District, with Fr Blolong expressing gratitude to the Lay Partners on behalf of the Provincial Superior of the Ghana Province, Very Rev. Fr Andrew Obeng, SVD.

“May the Lord in his goodness continue to bless you,” Fr Blolong said in appreciation of the gesture.

Rev. Fr Agudu Phanuel Mayers, SVD, Director of the Old Ladies Camp, also expressed gratitude to the Lay Partners for what he described as their “surprising-support” to the women, as well as their children and grandchildren.

The gesture brought visible joy to the women at the camp, with their leader thanking the SVD Lay Partners and everyone who contributed to the donation.

The SVD has, through its Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ministry, continued to draw attention to the dignity and welfare of vulnerable people and communities.

The visit to Gusheagu also provided an opportunity for the SVD Lay Partners and JPIC representatives to encounter the women directly and offer practical support to a community living with the consequences of accusations of witchcraft.