Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu has written to President Nana Akufo-Addo petitioning him to commute the sentences of all condemned convicts on death row to life imprisonment.
The petition, dated 11 October 2023, is appealing to the president to exercise his mercy prerogative to that effect.
Parliament recently passed a private member’s bill sponsored by Mr Sosu to substitute the death penalty with a life sentence.
It was assented to by the president.
It amends the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105).
Parts of the National Democratic Congress MP’s petition reads: “I write for and on behalf of all 181 persons currently on death row in respect of the above subject”.
“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”.
“Your Excellency, Article 72 (1) (c) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992 provides as follows: “The President may, acting in consultation with the Council of State-(c) Substitute a less severe form of punishment for a punishment imposed on a person for an offence”.