Commute death sentence of 184 convicts to life imprisonment- Amnesty Int'l to Gov't

The Board Vice Chairman of Amnesty International Ghana, Charity Batuure, has emphasized the need to take concrete steps to abolish the death penalty entirely in Ghana. 

Although Ghana has not executed anyone since 1993, she stressed the need for the government to commute existing death sentences to life imprisonment.

She made this known in a panel discussion at the launch of Amnesty International’s World Human Rights 2023 report in Accra.

According to the report, as of April this year, 184 individuals are on death row in Ghana. 

This number has increased from 180 last year after four people were sentenced to death in the first quarter of this year.

The report highlights issues in Ghana such as witchcraft accusations, women's and girls' rights, sexual minority rights, excessive use of force, the right to health, and environmental issues.

It adds that the death row inmates include seven women and ten foreign nationals.

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including government officials, members of parliament, representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), political party representatives, and queen mothers.

The Director of Amnesty International Ghana, Genevieve Partington, reiterated the need for Ghana to uphold human rights, democracy, and justice, especially during election periods. 

She praised the country for decriminalizing attempted suicide and amending the Criminal Offences Act to offer medical and psychological assistance to those who attempt suicide. 

Miss Partington also commended the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, which she said represents progress towards a more humane drug policy.

Additionally, she called on the government to reintroduce the bill that criminalizes witchcraft accusations and to prioritize the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill to increase women's participation in public office. 

She again urged the media, state actors, and civil society organizations to work together to address human rights issues and expressed concern over the president's refusal to sign the Armed Forces Amendment Bill.

Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alfred Tuah Yeboah assured that the government would take the necessary steps to implement the report's recommendations. 

On his part, the Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal, urged the President and Parliament to resolve constitutional conflicts delaying the signing of the revised Criminal Offences Act. 

He also called on Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to ensure the passage of the affirmative action bill before his term ends.