Ghana's parliament has voted to abolish the death penalty, joining a long list of African countries that have done so in recent years.
The country currently has 170 men and six women on death row, whose sentences will now be replaced by life imprisonment. The last execution took place in 1993.
The bill to amend the Criminal Offences Act was put forward by MP Francis-Xavier Sosu and had the backing of the parliament's Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
He added this would pave the way to a free and progressive society reflecting common belief that the sanctity of life is inviolable.