Ghana's decision to abolish the death penalty is a significant and historic step forward for human rights in the country and Africa as a whole. By becoming the 29th country in Africa to eliminate capital punishment, Ghana joins the global trend towards abolition and strengthens the protection of the right to life, reports The Guardian on July 26.
The amendment to the criminal offences act means that the 176 individuals currently on death row, including six women, are likely to have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. This move has been praised by human rights activists and organisations, who have long campaigned against the death penalty for its inhumanity and lack of proven deterrent effect.
The decision highlights Ghana's commitment to upholding human rights and reflects the will of the people, as evidenced by public opinion research showing majority support for abolition. While the death penalty had not been carried out in Ghana since 1993, courts continued to hand down death sentences, making the recent decision even more significant in ending this practice.
However, there remains a need for further action to achieve a complete removal of the death penalty, as it can still be given for acts of high treason, necessitating a change in the country's constitution. Human rights advocates are optimistic that this step will follow, considering Ghana's progressive approach towards abolition.
While Ghana is the 124th country to abolish the death penalty, there are still many nations where it is practised. In 2022, at least 883 executions were recorded worldwide, indicating the need for continued advocacy and efforts to eradicate this cruel punishment.
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