The presiding archbishop and general overseer of the Action Chapel International ministry, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has weighed in on the contentious issue of abolishing the death penalty in Ghana.
Archbishop Calls for Abolition
In a statement last week, Archbishop Duncan-Williams expressed support for abolishing capital punishment, acknowledging arguments on both sides.
However, he emphasized that ending the death penalty aligns with biblical teachings that only God has the authority to take a human life.
“As Christians, we are called to live in harmony, love our neighbors as ourselves and show mercy to the oppressed and afflicted,” Duncan-Williams said, quoting Romans 12:19-21. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Divisions Among Ghana’s Lawmakers
The archbishop’s comments come as Members of Parliament are divided over a bill to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.
Historically, the death penalty is a colonial inheritance used for crimes like murder, genocide and smuggling.
Though capital punishment remains legal, Ghana has not executed anyone since 1993. During parliamentary debates, MP Cletus Avoka disagreed with abolition, saying the death penalty could deter violent crime.
An Influential Voice
As a prominent religious figure, Archbishop Duncan-Williams brings a moral framework to the death penalty discussion. His stance calls on Ghanaians to show mercy and align laws with spiritual teachings. With compassion and justice as guiding principles, the nation continues wrestling with this complex issue.
Read His Full Statement Below
ARCHBISHOP DUNCAN-WILLIAMS BACKS CALLS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY
I have been carefully following the ongoing debate currently before Parliament following a motion moved by Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu for the amendment of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Armed Forces Act, 1962 (Act 105) to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.
I wish to congratulate the Rt. Hon. Speaker and Members of Parliament for your work thus far and believe that the debate will lead to a successful outcome with Members voting in favour of the bills.
Over the years, I have listened to arguments for and against abolition of the death penalty in Ghana. Abolition of the death penalty is aligned with the Holy Scriptures. God created life and God is the only one who can take life. This is why I am in full support of the Bills’ objective to abolish the death penalty.
As a society, we cannot condemn killing and yet use killing as a form of punishment.
As children of God, we are to live in harmony, love our neighbours as ourselves and show mercy to the oppressed and afflicted. The Scriptures give us guidance: in Romans 12:19-21, the Bible says “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The Bible also says in 2 Peter 3:9 “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” In Ezekiel 33:11, it is written “God does not desire the death of anyone, not even the wicked.” And finally, in Matthew 5:7 the Bible says “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.”
I therefore call on H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice of the Republic, the Military High Command, the Police High Command, the Prisons Service Board, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Media, and all relevant Stakeholders to support calls for the abolition of death penalty in Ghana.
I especially call on Members of Parliament to be of good courage and lead the way to ensure passage of the Bills to substitute life imprisonment for the death Penalty. I understand that if passed, Ghana will become the 29th African country to remove the mandatory death penalty from its statute books. Indeed, the time is now.
You have my support and prayers.
Signed,
Archbishop N. Duncan-Williams