Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency in Ghana, has taken his advocacy against the death penalty to the global stage.
Speaking at the 2024 visiting scholar program at Center College in Danville, Kentucky, and at the University of South in Sewanee, Tennessee, USA, Sosu charged the United States to abolish its death penalty laws.
As a visiting professor, Sosu addressed convocations on the theme “Championing a Free, Fair, and Just Society through Human Rights Advocacy: Chronicles of a Lawyer, Legislator, and Activist.”
He highlighted the recent abolition of the death penalty in Ghana, replacing it with life imprisonment for ordinary crimes, despite being a signatory to international human rights treaties.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in my journey of activism, I have over the years spoken up against various ills in society, and championed the rights of many persons in Ghana. I have confronted and kicked against treatments meted out as a result of one’s vulnerability, social status, economic or financial incapacity, and cultural practices, among others.
“For instance, I have spoken up against injustices and corrupt practices in our Judiciary; against the continued retainment of the death penalty in our statute books and imposition of same by Courts in Ghana; advocated strongly for the removal of taxes on menstrual hygiene products; participated in demonstrations and advocated for increased access to legal education in Ghana; among others,” he said.
In the United States, the death penalty can only be imposed on defendants convicted of capital offenses, such as murder, treason, genocide, or the killing or kidnapping of a Congressman, the President, or a Supreme Court justice. Despite many states halting its use, the federal government may still implement it.
In Ghana, the death penalty was imposed for murder, attempt to commit murder, genocide, or piracy and smuggling of gold or diamond. However, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Criminal Offences Amendment Act 2022, replacing the death penalty with life imprisonment.
On January 24, 2024, the High Court sentenced six of the coup plotters to death by hanging. The Court, however, acquitted Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Agordzo, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli, and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar.
Mr Sosu expressed dissatisfaction with the death sentences handed to six coup plotters in Ghana and announced plans to escalate the issue to the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
He described the verdict as ‘disheartening’ and emphasized the need for Ghana to review its laws.