New York/The Hague/Accra

PGA commends the decision taken by Ghana’s parliament on 25 July 2023, which by voting in favor of the abolition of the death penalty for ordinary crimes, demonstrating that the retributive theory of the death penalty has no place in a society committed to respecting justice and universal values. The adoption of the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2022, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment, marks a significant milestone as it aligns Ghana’s criminal system with international best practice. This achievement was made possible thanks to parliamentarians who, through their dedication, ensured the protection and promotion of Ghanaians’ human rights.

PGA is proud to have worked alongside Ghanaian parliamentarians from both the opposition and government parties for several years, supporting their journey to advance human rights. Our collaborative efforts, including the organization of a 2016 roundtable on the abolition of the death penalty, hosted by the Parliament of Ghana, and a 2021 visit of Ghanian parliamentarians to The Hague, have contributed to fostering dialogue and understanding on human rights, the Rule of Law, and international justice.

• Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa,
  MP (Ghana)

This momentous achievement reflects the voice of our citizens, whose stance against the death penalty has been heard loud and clear. The Parliament of Ghana demonstrated our unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and justice, paving the way for transformative changes towards a more just and humane society for our country and for the African continent. Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP (Ghana)

Ghana’s decision to abolish the death penalty is in line with the growing abolitionist movement worldwide, which has been particularly reinforced in Africa thanks to the leadership of Chad, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea, who all took steps to abolish the death penalty for all crimes or for ordinary crimes in the last three years.

On 11 August 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assented both bills, ensuring the smooth implementation of the removal of the death penalty for ordinary crimes in Ghana.

PGA further encourages Ghana to continue its efforts towards the complete abolition of the death penalty in law, and calls the country to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

While Ghana had not carried out an execution since 1993, the country was considered as abolitionist in practice since the country’s domestic legislation still provided for the use of capital punishment for a series of crimes including murder, genocide, treason, and smuggling of gold and diamonds. The Constitution of Ghana also still provides for the use of capital punishment for crimes of treason. According to Amnesty International, 7 death sentences were recorded in 2022, and 172 people were known to be under sentence of death at the end of 2022.