Ghana sentences 6 coup plotters to death

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Ghana’s High Court on Wednesday sentenced six Ghanaians, including three soldiers, to death by hanging for their involvement in an alleged plot to topple the government, according to the Ghanaweb news portal.

The court found Donya Kafui, a blacksmith; Bright Allan Debra Ofosu, a fleet manager; Johannes Zikpi, a civilian employee with the army, Warrant Officer II Esther Saan Dekuwine; Lance Corp. Ali Solomon and Corp, Sylvester Akampewon guilty of “conspiracy to commit high treason and treason” it said.

The court acquitted Police Chief Benjamin Agordzo, army officer Col. Samuel Kodzo Gameli and junior military officer Corp. Seidu Abubakar.

The six were charged with conspiracy to commit treason in 2021.

They were reportedly arrested with locally manufactured guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles and other ammunition in the nation’s capital of Accra.

Intelligence telephone taps led to a blacksmith shop, where weapons were being manufactured.

The prosecution said the accused belonged to an association that called itself, Take Action Ghana (TAG), and that they planned to stage demonstrations to overthrow the government.

Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame described the verdict as significant, noting that the Constitution frowns upon any attempt to overthrow the government.

Ghana abolished the death penalty in July for all crimes except high treason, in a move hailed by rights advocates.

It last executed a criminal in 1993.