Ghana: Information on political prisoners in Ghana and whether the Habeas Corpus Law is still in effect
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA12423 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information on political prisoners in Ghana and whether the Habeas Corpus Law is still in effect, 1 November 1992, GHA12423, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abe434.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The government of Ghana released some political prisoners as a gesture of national reconciliation (BBC Summary 23 March 1992). According to an Amnesty International Newsletter published in October 1992, about 50 detainees were "quietly released" in April and May of the same year. This sources further states that "at least one political detainee, Corporal Thomas Benefo, apparently remains in detention without charge or trial...Seven other political prisoners convicted in connection with alleged conspiracies are still serving prison sentences." In a letter dated 23 October 1992, a copy of which was faxed to the DIRB, the Acting Refugee Cordinator at Amnesty International's office in Toronto, Canada, states that
Amnesty International is aware that some political prisoners remain in detention. Some detainees remain in incommunicado detention. As well, Amnesty International is aware that there have been some recent political arrests (Ibid.).
In further overtures of national reconciliation, the Provincial National Defence Council (PNDC) also repealed the Preventive Custody Law of 1982 (PNDC Law 4) and the Habeas Corpus Amendment Law of 1984 (PNDC Law 91) (West Africa 18 Oct. 1992) but replaced them with a new Public Order Law which authorizes the detention of suspects for a period not exceeding 14 days. West Africa notes that "the repeal of the laws does not however mean an end to detention without trial in Ghana" (Ibid.).
For additional information on the above-mentioned subjects, please refer to the attached documents.
References
Amnesty International. October 1992. Amnesty International Newsletter. Vol. 22. No. 10. "Ghana: Political Prisoner Released from Untried Detetion."
. Toronto. 23 October 1992. Fax received by DIRB Ottawa.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 23 March 1992. "Ghanaian Government Grants Amnesty to Political Prisoners."(NEXIS)
West Africa [London]. 18 October 1992. "Ghana: Detention Laws Replaced," (DIRB Indexed Media Review [Ottawa], 26-26 Oct. 1992.
Attachments
Amnesty International. October 1992. Amnesty International Newsletter. Vol. 22. No. 10. "Ghana: Political Prisoner Released from Untried Detetion."
. Toronto. 23 October 1992. Fax received by DIRB Ottawa.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 23 March 1992. "Ghanaian Government Grants Amnesty to Political Prisoners."(NEXIS)
West Africa [London]. 18 October 1992. "Ghana: Detention Laws Replaced," (DIRB Indexed Media Review [Ottawa], 26-26 Oct. 1992.
