Accra, Ghana – The parliament of Ghana has given its approval to amend the Criminal and Other Offences Act, replacing the country’s death penalty with life imprisonment.
But the death penalty will remain in force for persons found guilty of treason/coups under Article 3 of the 1992 Constitution, legal experts say.
The amendment bill, championed by Francis Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina, was approved on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, and currently awaiting the president’s assent.
Immediate reactions from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International indicate that this is a significant move towards a more humane justice system.
The Parliament of Ghana has abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes.
A huge win for human rights!!!!#ghana#amnestyghana pic.twitter.com/OHTKlOV8gx
— Amnesty International Ghana (@amnestyghana) July 25, 2023
More to follow soon…