Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo

Six Ghanaians, including three soldiers, were condemned to death by hanging after being found guilty of treason for plotting a coup three years ago. This was Ghana’s first treason trial since 1966, when the country’s post-independence leader Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown.

The six defendants were arrested in 2021 in the capital Accra while allegedly testing weapons to topple the current government ahead of the 2020 elections. The group, comprising both civilians and security personnel, had pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers said appeals will be filed with the Supreme Court.

The Heavy High Court ruling came after a closely watched trial that gripped the nation. Three other accused were acquitted. There was heavy police presence during the verdict announcement on Wednesday.

Prosecutors presented evidence including intercepted communications and weapons caches showing the elaborate plot. The court said the proof of plans to incite protests to bring down President Nana Akufo-Addo before elections was clear and compelling.

Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who led the prosecution, praised the guilty verdict. He underscored that Ghana’s constitution severely punishes treason to protect the nation’s stability.

Ghana last carried out a death sentence in 1992 after returning to democratic rule. Last year, capital punishment for regular crimes was replaced with life imprisonment.