Why capital punishment should not be abolished

 Write a piece for a national newspaper that explains why the death penalty should remain in place.

Human rights activists, the Office of the Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), or non-governmental organisations that fight against human rights abuse have launched a campaign against capital punishment. They are advocating for a global outcry against the death penalty, citing its significant impact on people's lives worldwide. It must be noted that not all laws can be applied worldwide due to differences in attitudes, behaviours, situations, circumstances, and institutional rameworks. However, a critical assessment of the situation and the continued application of the death penalty will greatly benefit the nation.

First, the fact that capital punishment would make Ghana a peaceful place to live is undeniable. It has become evident that crime has escalated to an unbearable level, leading to a pervasive sense of insecurity about one's existence. Lately, the nation has turned into a frightening place to live, primarily due to the lack of severe penalties for criminals who terrorize innocent citizens with impunity. Efficiently and effectively implemented capital punishment will deter criminals and reduce the growing crime rate in order to sustain peace in our motherland. The law-abiding citizens are going to feel protected and will live an enjoyable life.

Next, we need to examine the potential benefits of long-term or life imprisonment for the nation. The disheartening reality is that incarceration hardens criminals instead of reforming them. Despite being slightly above the amateur level, the majority of convicts released from prison return to society as seasoned criminals, primarily due to our prison systems' lack of sufficient equipment to deter criminal behavior. Aside from that, equipping our prison is cost-effective. Given the numerous unimplemented developmental projects and the significant financial expenditures required to enhance a prison's efficiency, I believe prioritizing the prison's equipment should take precedence.

One may ask, "What if we decide not to build more prisons or renovate the older ones to make them more equipped in order to make the prison system less expensive?" Choosing not to implement these measures could lead to congestion in the various existing prisons. The issue of congestion intensifies rapidly due to the current surge in crime rates. This congestion also calls for the purging of criminals in society, especially the incurable and incorrigible ones. Recent prison visits may have revealed inmates' serious congestion and worsening health conditions. It is disheartening to observe that life sentences for criminals often result in their confinement in condemned cells. This is because we have done nothing to improve the facilities at the prison yards. If all these conditions are appalling, why don't we continue to implement the death penalty? It would be a way to reduce congestion in our small prisons.

Last but not least, we should not overlook the fear that the death penalty will instill in the majority of citizens. The fear of capital punishment deters many from indulging in criminal activities. To abolish it means giving citizens the license to commit crimes. Countries without capital punishment have become breeding grounds for hardened criminals that terrorise the decent and wealthy citizens.

To conclude, I will emphasise that capital punishment should remain in the nation's penal code in order to maintain law and order, make law-abiding citizens feel secure, remove fear from potential investors minds, and create the right atmosphere for economic growth and stability.

Bismark Tettey, Accra