Amnesty International demands abolition of death penalty in Ghana

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Amnesty International Ghana is intensifying its campaign to fully abolish the death penalty by urging the government to amend the 1992 Constitution, which still permits capital punishment for high treason.

This renewed advocacy follows Ghana’s significant legislative reforms in 2023, when Parliament voted to remove the death penalty from the Criminal Offences Act and the Armed Forces Act, replacing it with life imprisonment for crimes such as murder and piracy. Despite these changes, the constitutional provision for capital punishment in cases of high treason remains intact.

Genevieve Partington, Director of Amnesty International Ghana, emphasized the organization’s stance, stating, “There is no justice in taking a life.” She highlighted the urgency of aligning the Constitution with the country’s evolving human rights commitments.

Ghana has not carried out any executions since 1993, yet courts have continued to issue death sentences. In 2022, seven individuals were sentenced to death, and by the end of that year, 172 people were on death row. Notably, in January 2024, six individuals — including three soldiers — were sentenced to death for plotting a coup, underscoring the ongoing application of the death penalty under constitutional provisions.

Amnesty International Ghana’s campaign against the death penalty began in 1985 and has been instrumental in recent legislative changes. The organization continues to advocate for a constitutional amendment to eliminate capital punishment entirely, reflecting Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights and the sanctity of life. As Ghana positions itself as a leader in human rights within Africa, the complete abolition of the death penalty would align the nation’s legal framework with international standards and its own legislative progress.