Archbishop Duncan-Williams supports abolishment of death penalty in Ghana, cites scriptural teachings

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the presiding archbishop and general overseer of the Action Chapel International ministry, has expressed his support for the abolishment of the death penalty in Ghana.

Acknowledging the ongoing debate surrounding the abolition of the death penalty, Archbishop Duncan-Williams emphasized the alignment of this decision with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. He firmly stated that God alone has the authority to take life, as He is the creator of life. Therefore, he wholeheartedly supports the objective of the bill to abolish the death penalty.

The current discussions among Members of Parliament (MPs) revolve around the report of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on the Criminal Offences Amendment Act. This proposed amendment aims to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment.

While the death penalty has been a historical punishment inherited from the colonial administration for offenses such as murder, attempted murder, genocide, piracy, and smuggling of gold or diamonds, Ghana has not executed any offenders since 1993.

During the parliamentary debate, lawmakers expressed contrasting views on the matter. MP for Zebilla Constituency, Cletus Avoka voiced his disagreement, stating that the arguments in favour of the motion were unmeritorious and lacked credibility.

Archbishop Duncan-Williams highlighted the inherent contradiction of a society condemning killing while utilizing killing as a form of punishment. He emphasized the importance of living in harmony, loving one's neighbours, and showing mercy to the oppressed and afflicted, as guided by the Scriptures.

Citing Romans 12:19-21, the archbishop quoted the Bible, stating, “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.”

Below is his full statement

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

YNA/DA