According to Amnesty International’s World Human Rights 2023 report, a total of 184 convicts are currently on death row in Ghana as of April this year. This number has increased from 180 last year, with four additional persons sentenced to death in the first quarter of this year.
The report, which was launched in Accra, focuses on various human rights issues in Ghana, including witchcraft accusations, women’s and girls’ rights, sexual minority rights, excessive use of force, right to health, and environmental issues.
The report reveals that the 184 convicts on death row include seven women and 10 foreign nationals. Stakeholders, including government officials, members of parliament, civil society organizations, political party representatives, and queen mothers, attended the launch event.
Charity Batuure, Board Vice Chairman of Amnesty International Ghana, emphasized the need for concrete steps to ensure the complete abolition of the death penalty in Ghana. Although Ghana has not carried out any executions since 1993, Batuure stressed the importance of commuting the death sentences of those on death row to life sentences.
Genevieve Partington, Director of Amnesty International, reiterated the need for Ghana to promote human rights, democracy, and justice, particularly during electioneering. She commended Ghana for its efforts in decriminalizing attempted suicide and amending the Criminal Offences Act to provide medical and psychological assistance to individuals who attempt to take their own lives.
Partington also applauded the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, which marks a significant step towards a more humane drug policy. However, she called on the government to reintroduce the bill criminalizing witchcraft accusations and prioritize the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill aimed at increasing women’s participation in public office.
Partington urged the media, state actors, and civil society organizations to collaborate efforts in addressing human rights concerns. She 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 recommendations in the report. Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), called on the President and Parliament to resolve all constitutional conflicts that have delayed the signing of the revised Criminal Offences Act.
Whittal also urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to ensure the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill before the end of his term in office. Former President John Dramani Mahama pledged to commute the death sentences of all 184 convicts on death row to life imprisonment if re-elected, and review the provision on the death penalty in Ghana’s criminal offenses act.
The report highlights the need for Ghana to prioritize human rights and take concrete steps towards abolishing the death penalty, promoting women’s and girls’ rights, and addressing other human rights concerns.
