Ghana: six coup plotters sentenced to death by hanging

Six Ghanaians, including three soldiers, have been convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for their participation in an alleged coup conspiracy three years ago that aimed to overthrow the country’s government.

The convictions mark the first treason trial in the West African country since 1966, following the overthrow of post-independence leader Kwame Nkrumah. The six men were arrested three years ago while reportedly testing locally manufactured weapons, improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles at an old shooting range in the capital Accra. Intelligence telephone taps subsequently led to a blacksmith shop, where the men ordered the weapons, with an alleged intent to overthrow the government, according to court documents.

While they had all, including a gunsmith, pleaded not guilty during the trial, the court verdict convicted all six guilty of high treason and conspiracy to commit high treason. Defense lawyers said they would appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court.

State prosecutors alleged that the group had planned to organize protests, ostensibly to topple President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government ahead of the 2020 general elections. The country’s attorney general hailed the outcome of the trial as “significant”. The recent events in Niger and Gabon have showed that military takeovers are once again becoming a common trend in the region that has since 2020 seen at least seven coups, mostly in West and Central Africa.