Ghana Government Accepts Proposal to Abolish Death Penalty

Ghana's government has officially accepted a proposal to abolish the death penalty, opting instead to replace it with life imprisonment. This significant shift is part of an ongoing constitutional review process designed to enhance the protection of fundamental human rights within the nation. Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced the government's position, highlighting that the proposed amendment would affect key articles of the 1992 Constitution.

Offenses that previously carried the death penalty will now be punishable by life imprisonment under the revised constitutional provisions. Dr. Ayine stated that the government believes the death penalty is fundamentally inconsistent with the constitutional right to life and Ghana's international human rights obligations. This move aligns with broader proposals aimed at strengthening human rights safeguards for all citizens.

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the government has accepted the recommendation to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment as part of the constitutional review process.

In addition to abolishing capital punishment, the government has also embraced several recommendations focused on expanding rights for vulnerable groups. This includes enhanced protections for women, children, persons with disabilities, older individuals, and the youth. To enforce these expanded rights, a comprehensive Human Rights Act is planned, which will provide detailed mechanisms for enforcement, thereby avoiding the need for a national referendum to amend entrenched constitutional provisions.

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the government believes the death penalty is inconsistent with the constitutional right to life and Ghana’s international human rights obligations.