Advocating the abolition of death penalty in Ghana: Insights from HRRG ED Joseph Wemakor on Reporters RoundTable

Human Rights Reporters Ghana’s Executive Director, Joseph Wemakor, has joined other notable Ghanaian figures in a spirited discussion on capital punishment.

The conversation, which took place on GBC’s Reporters RoundTable Saturday July 22, comes amidst an ongoing worldwide debate on the relevance, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the death penalty as a form of punishment in the 21st century.

Joseph Wemakor, known for his defense of human rights and relentless fight against injustices, used this platform to highlight the critical reasons why Ghana must consider abolishing the death penalty. He argued that capital punishment is a blatant violation of human rights, particularly the right to life, which is sacred and inviolable.

Wemakor underscored that every individual has the inherent right to life, and this right must be protected by law. He expounded that, instead of being a deterrent, the death penalty further contributes to a cycle of violence, arguing that “an eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind”. His compelling arguments come in the wake of various calls for the abolition of capital punishment by human rights organizations, both on local and international platforms.

Two other panelists; Ibrahim Alhassan, Journalist at EIB Network and the Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng who joined the discussion on the GBC’s Reporters RoundTable via phone interview vividly echoed Wemakor’s sentiments.

Participants were unanimous in their call for justice system reforms, suggesting life imprisonment or other non-lethal punishments, and urging for rehabilitation over retribution. The discussion highlighted how the death penalty often disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, fueling systemic injustices.

Wemakor, while acknowledging the necessity for punishing serious offenses, maintained that there is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than other forms of punishments.

He recommended that Ghana focus more on promoting crime prevention measures and providing fair trial guarantees rather than relying on draconian methods.

Echoing various international laws and treaties, Wemakor and panel participants urged Ghana to join the increasing number of countries that have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, thereby recognizing every individual’s inviolable right to life.

They further stressed that such a move would signify Ghana’s commitment to upholding the highest human rights standards- a move they believe would be viewed positively on the global stage.

While the call to abolish the death penalty in Ghana is not new, the participation of Human Rights Reporter Ghana’s Executive Director, along with two other panelists on the GBC’s Reporters RoundTable, has significantly strengthened this growing movement. These journalists and human rights activists are confident that their advocacy will inspire further dialogue on this subject and bring about the necessary changes in the Ghanaian legal framework, thereby safeguarding the basic right to life.

The passionate roundtable discussion signals the growing momentum of this discourse. It is hoped that these conversations would prompt Ghana’s government to reconsider the use of capital punishment, shifting the focus towards reform-oriented policies that respect, protect, and fulfill the right to life and promote human dignity.

In summary, these dialogues signify a step towards a more humane, effective, and just system of punishment. It is an attempt to bring about a paradigm shift from revenge and punishment to rehabilitation and reformation- a move that respects the fundamental human rights of all citizens.

Joseph Wemakor’s call for action is not just for Ghana – it resonates with the global momentum to end the death penalty, a movement galvanized by a shared commitment to upholding human dignity, justice, and the inalienable right to life.

Watch video on the interview here:

Source:HRRG