Amnesty international is urging the government of Ghana to abolish death penalty in the country’s law books.
Speaking at an event in Accra to mark World Day against Death Penalty, Director of Amnesty Ghana, Robert Akoto Amoafo, observed over hundreds of people are left in prison awaiting their death sentence which is never forthcoming.
Since 1993, no one has been executed through death penalty in Ghana. Death penalty is handed to persons who have crimes such as as murder and treason
As at the end of 2017, there were about 160 prisoners on death row, 154 men and 6 women at the Nsawam prison. Their living conditions and nutrition have been described as very poor.
“We believe that it is time for Ghana to abolish the death penalty as many West African countries have done,” Mr. Amoafo said.
The Director noted that prisoners on death row must be treated with humanity and dignity in conditions that meet international human rights.
Amnesty International is therefore calling on President Akufo-Addo to abolish the death penalty sentence.
“We appeal to his Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the president of the Republic of Ghana to give to the prisoners on death row a special Christmas gift of publicly committing to the abolishing of the death penalty for all crimes,” Mr Amoafo pleaded.
He also urged the President to order for a review of all cases of persons currently on death row with the view to identifying any potential miscarriages of justice.
By 3news.com| Ghana
