The Death Penalty, Public Opinion, and the Rule of Law in Ghana

• In Event: Death Penalty Public Opinion & Education

Abstract

There is an increasing global effort towards the abolishing of the death penalty. The majority of countries in Africa, including Ghana, still retain the death penalty for crimes such as treason and murder. Several of these countries may be classified as de facto abolitionists, but they are unwilling to expunge the death penalty from their statute books. There are at least two arguments in favour of retention: first is the supposed deterrence value of the death penalty. Second is perceived public support and fear of possibility of a backlash effect. However, these claims are yet to be examined empirically in Africa. Using data from Ghana, we investigate public attitude towards the death penalty and factors that explain the public sentiment. The study also examines empirically the deterrence argument and the fear of backlash effect in the form of support for vigilante violence. The implications of the results for the work of the constitutional implementation committee in Ghana and for the abolitionist movement in Africa are discussed.

Authors

• Kofi Boakye, University of Cambridge

• Justice Tankebe, University of Cambridge