WITCHES IN EXILE: Art as Activism
Ann-Christine Woehrl’s long-term project, WITCHES IN EXILE, is dedicated to the fate of women who are arbitrarily accused of witchcraft, forced into exile, and stripped of their identity and role within their communities.
The inspiration for this project began in 2005, when Woehrl read an article in Le Monde about “witch camps” in Ghana. She was deeply shocked to learn that belief in witchcraft still poses a deadly threat to countless women. Moved by the stories of these so-called witches, she traveled that same year with her friend, artist Senam Okudzeto, to Ghana and Burkina Faso to explore the issue firsthand.
This journey marked the beginning of her artistic engagement with the problem of witch hunts—a commitment that continues to this day. Through her work, Woehrl aims to raise awareness of a global issue: women around the world are made victims of cruel and arbitrary violence through accusations of witchcraft. Belief in witchcraft remains widespread, and accusations are often used as weapons against women who are seen as undesirable. According to a 2023 human rights study by missio, women in 44 countries are at severe risk.
Since 2005, Ann-Christine Woehrl has returned to Ghana regularly, building relationships with local aid organizations and meeting women in the so-called witch villages of Gambaga and Gushiegu in northern Ghana. In 2009 and 2013, she was able to photograph these women for her portrait series WITCHES IN EXILE. With the support of Simon Ngota, she gained the women’s trust and explained her intentions. At first, the women were surprised, but over time, they opened up to the stranger with the camera who had come to listen to and share their stories. The resulting portraits—taken at sunset against a black backdrop—are powerful and deeply moving. They draw attention to a grave injustice without condemning, and they capture the dignity of these women—a dignity worth fighting for.
Since 2005, Ann-Christine Woehrl has returned to Ghana regularly, building relationships with local aid organizations and meeting women in the so-called witch villages of Gambaga and Gushiegu in northern Ghana. In 2009 and 2013, she was able to photograph these women for her portrait series WITCHES IN EXILE. With the support of Simon Ngota, she gained the women’s trust and explained her intentions. At first, the women were surprised, but over time, they opened up to the stranger with the camera who had come to listen to and share their stories. The resulting portraits—taken at sunset against a black backdrop—are powerful and deeply moving. They draw attention to a grave injustice without condemning, and they capture the dignity of these women—a dignity worth fighting for.
Since its first solo exhibition in 2013 at the former PINTER & MILCH gallery, WITCHES IN EXILE has received significant attention. The series has been shown in numerous galleries and museums and featured in national and international media (bitte hier verlinken mit ARCHIVE). In August 2021, Anja Pinter-Rawe published a comprehensive monograph with Kehrer Verlag, presenting a selection of portraits from Ann-Christine WOEHRL´s series and providing social and political context through contributions by Ghanaian authors.
Together with Anja Pinter-Rawe, Ann-Christine Woehrl has also launched the project website www.witches-in-exile.art. The site introduces the project, documents current exhibitions and events, keeps supporters informed, and encourages donations.
The issue remains highly relevant in Ghana today. The tragic lynching of 90-year-old Akua Denteh in 2020 brought renewed political attention and hope for real change. A video of the brutal killing went viral, sparking public outrage and prompting the Ghanaian government to act. In 2023, the Ghanaian parliament passed a bill criminalizing witch hunts, but the law has yet to be enacted—it still awaits the president’s signature.
These developments motivated Ann-Christine Woehrl to deepen her collaboration with local partners in Ghana and contribute to an international awareness campaign. She works with the artist collective BEYOND, historian Gertrude Nkrumah, lawyer Maakor Quarmyne, Professor John Azumah from the Sanneh Institute, and CAWA—the Ghanaian Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations (including Action Aid Ghana, Amnesty International Ghana, and Oxfam)—a leading force in the fight against witch hunts in northern Ghana. These partnerships led to a joint 16-day campaign in Ghana in 2024, inspired by the UN Women campaign against gender-based violence.
The exhibition of WITCHES IN EXILE at the international photography festival Les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles in 2025, as well as the planned exhibition at the National Museum in Accra, Ghana in 2026, are two more key initiatives to raise awareness, advocate for change, and support women who have been unjustly cast out of society.
Witches In Exile wants to draw attention to this problem and support the commitment against the belief in witches on the ground. 5% from the book proceeds and 10% from the proceeds of the art edition and the artwork will support the Ghanaian aid project Witch-hunt Victims Empowerment Project (WHVEP), which creates and educates such places of refuge. We gratefully arrange donations (donation receipt).
The issue remains highly relevant in Ghana today. The tragic lynching of 90-year-old Akua Denteh in 2020 brought renewed political attention and hope for real change. A video of the brutal killing went viral, sparking public outrage and prompting the Ghanaian government to act. In 2023, the Ghanaian parliament passed a bill criminalizing witch hunts, but the law has yet to be enacted—it still awaits the president’s signature.
These developments motivated Ann-Christine Woehrl to deepen her collaboration with local partners in Ghana and contribute to an international awareness campaign. She works with the artist collective BEYOND, historian Gertrude Nkrumah, lawyer Maakor Quarmyne, Professor John Azumah from the Sanneh Institute, and CAWA—the Ghanaian Coalition Against Witchcraft Accusations (including Action Aid Ghana, Amnesty International Ghana, and Oxfam)—a leading force in the fight against witch hunts in northern Ghana. These partnerships led to a joint 16-day campaign in Ghana in 2024, inspired by the UN Women campaign against gender-based violence.
The exhibition of WITCHES IN EXILE at the international photography festival Les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles in 2025, as well as the planned exhibition at the National Museum in Accra, Ghana in 2026, are two more key initiatives to raise awareness, advocate for change, and support women who have been unjustly cast out of society.
Witches In Exile wants to draw attention to this problem and support the commitment against the belief in witches on the ground. 5% from the book proceeds and 10% from the proceeds of the art edition and the artwork will support the Ghanaian aid project Witch-hunt Victims Empowerment Project (WHVEP), which creates and educates such places of refuge. We gratefully arrange donations (donation receipt).