[1][2][3] The phenomenon of witch-hunts in Sub-Saharan Africa is ancient,[4] but the problem has been exasperated due to charismatic preachers such as Helen Ukpabio.
Accusations of witchcraft in Africa are a very serious matter as the witch is culturally understood to be the epitome of evil and the cause of all misfortune, disease and death.
[13][14][15] In recent years due to the impact of rapid urbanisation, economic decline, as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, children have become more and more the victims of witchcraft accusations, especially orphans.
[22] In Nigeria, Helen Ukpabio and other Pentecostal pastors have incorporated African witchcraft beliefs into their brand of Christianity, resulting in a campaign of violence against young Nigerians.
[24][25] Human rights activists opposing the practice have been threatened and some, such as humanist Leo Igwe, mobbed and harassed by police.
[20] A documentary aired on Channel 4 and the BBC, Saving Africa's Witch Children, shows the work of Gary Foxcroft and Stepping Stones Nigeria in addressing these abuses.
The Danish humanitarian Anja Ringgren Lovén founded a charity to rescue abandoned and tortured children, and to give them the opportunity to go to school.
[27] In Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries, the young survivors of the ebola epidemic are often accused of withcraft, losing parents to the disease and community support to superstition.
[42] Van der Meer suggests that, in the meantime, the general population in countries where child witchcraft beliefs are prevalent need to be convinced that the torture and killing of children is unacceptable.
While Igwe supports collaborating with faith-based individuals and organizations, his approach includes calling out religious efforts that threaten or undermine advocacy against witch persecution.
[44] Research by Leo Ruickbie has shown that the problem of child witchcraft accusations is spreading from Africa to areas with African immigrant populations.