Move Those on Death Row to Life Imprisonment – Sosu to Akufo-Addo

The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to move individuals condemned to death by Ghanaian courts to life imprisonment.

He has appealed to the President to exercise his prerogative of mercy to commute such sentences.

“I wish to respectfully appeal to your High Office to exercise your prerogative of mercy to commute all persons currently on death sentence to life imprisonment pursuant to the authority granted you under Article 72(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana,” a portion of Sosu’s letter to the Preident said.

This appeal comes after the observance of the 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, civil society organizations, and the international community.

This move would affect 181 individuals across Ghana who are anxiously awaiting their execution if the plea is accepted.

To convince the President, Sosu made a case that this step would enhance the legacy of his administration.

“In view of the above, it will be phenomenal if under your leadership and tenure as President, Ghana appears to be seen and is consistent with recent changes in our laws and related vote at the United Nations in favour of the 9′ Resolution for a Moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

“Sir, this will also go a long way to entrench your legacy for the consequential role played and commitment demonstrated towards the advancement and realization of a more free, open, progressive, inclusive, and secure society.”

Although Ghana ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2000, it has yet to ratify the Second Optional Protocol aiming at the abolition of the death penalty (ICCPR-OP2).

The lawmaker also addressed this issue. “I also kindly urge you to consider ratification of the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), aimed at the abolition of the death penalty, as it is an alternative way and approach to address the challenges associated with constitutional amendment of the entrenched provision which require a referendum as stated in Article 3 of the 1992 Constitution.”

Ghana’s last execution was carried out in 1993, according to pgaction.com.