The Parliament of Ghana has taken a significant stride by voting to abolish capital punishment, aligning itself with other forward-thinking African nations that have recently moved towards the repeal of the death penalty.
While Ghana has not executed anyone since 1993, the country had 176 individuals awaiting execution on death row as of last year, according to data from the Ghana Prisons Service.
The momentous bill seeks to amend the Criminal Offences Act, replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment, a proposal well-documented in a comprehensive report by a parliamentary committee. For the law to be fully enacted, it now requires the assent of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Leading the charge for this transformative bill is Francis-Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for the Madina constituency, who passionately championed the cause and expressed his jubilation, making it known that the act represents a momentous leap forward for Ghana’s commitment to human rights.
Extensive research, including constitutional reviews and opinion polls, revealed that a majority of Ghanaians favored the abolition of capital punishment, adding even more weight to the parliamentary decision.
Ghana’s move carries immense significance as it becomes the 29th African nation and the 124th globally to abolish the death penalty. The Death Penalty Project, a well-known NGO based in London, collaborated with local partners in Ghana to provide support for this crucial legal change.
This historic development underscores Ghana’s dedication to fostering a more equitable and compassionate society, where the preservation of human rights takes precedence.
