A disturbing exposé.
The Witches of Gambaga is the extraordinary story of a community of women condemned to live as witches in Northern Ghana. Painful experience and insight come together to create an intimate portrait of the lives of women ostracised by their communities.

The Witches of Gambaga is the extraordinary story of a community of women condemned to live as witches in Northern Ghana. Made over the course of 5 years, this disturbing expose is the product of a collaboration between members of the 100 strong community of ‘witches' and women's movement activists determined to end abusive practises and improve women's lives in Africa. Painful experience and insight come together to create an intimate portrait of the lives of women ostracised by their communities. Told largely by the women themselves, their incredible stories and struggles are conveyed to a wide range of audiences by the director's narration. The film was completed in July 2010 by Fadoa Films Ghana and UK. It was directed by Yaba Badoe, and co-produced by Yaba Badoe and Amina Mama.

55 minutes
Fadoa Films 2010

Director: Yaba Badoe
Produced by: Amina Mama and Yaba Badoe
Cinematography: Darren Hercher, Yao Ladzekpo
Editor: Duncan Harris
Sound: Jedi Larkai
Dubbing Mixer: Jim Betteridge AMPS
Sound Editor: David Kennedy MIBS
Voice of Amina Wumbala: Aicha Kossoko
Translations: Nachi Naba, Baba Bawah, Linda Nanbigne
Selected music tracks courtesy of Dobet Gnahoré

Why I made The Witches of Gambaga
"Within 24 hours of meeting women condemned to live as ‘witches' at Gambaga in March 1995, I knew that I had to make a documentary about their lives. The more I listened to their stories, the more determined I became to use film as a way to challenge beliefs that demonize women. Asana Mahama was tortured by her brother who threatened to pluck out her eyes if she didn't confess to witchcraft. Bintook Duut was on the run for her life for three months before she found refuge at the camp. Nobody knows the number of alleged witches who never find sanctuary, but I wanted Ghanaians and other Africans, to hear what has happened to women who have lived to tell their tales."
Yaba Badoe, director and co-producer


Supported by
This film has been made possible with the generous support of:
African Women's Development Fund
WorldView (Broadcast Scheme)
Forward
Pathways of Women's Empowerment RPC
EU Cultural Support Initiative, Ghana
Presbyterian Church of Ghana
Netright Ghana
Global Fund For Women
Big Heart Media
Wendy Hollway
Simon Ngota
Gladys Lariba


Awards

2011 - 18th New York African Film Festival
* Selected for screening

2011 - FESPACO 2011, Africa's biggest film festival
* Second Prize in the Documentary section

2011 - Black International Film Festival
* Best Documentary