President Mahama Grants Amnesty to 998 Prisoners

President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners out of 1,014 recommended by the Prisons Service Council, following consultation with the Council of State under Article 72(1) of the Constitution.

The amnesty affects prisoners across seven categories, with first-time offenders forming the largest group at 787 individuals. 

Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the decision on Monday, August 18, 2025, detailing the breakdown of beneficiaries.

Eighty-seven prisoners on death row will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 51 inmates serving life sentences will see their terms reduced to 20 years definite imprisonment. 

The amnesty also covers 33 seriously ill prisoners and 36 inmates over 70 years of age regardless of their offenses.

Two nursing mothers and two prisoners whose cases were reviewed through petitions complete the list of beneficiaries. The decision represents one of the most extensive uses of presidential clemency powers in recent years, affecting nearly 1,000 individuals across different circumstances and offense categories.

The amnesty process involved recommendations from the Prisons Service Council, which reviews cases based on various factors including the nature of offenses, length of sentences served, health conditions, and age of inmates. 

The Council of State, which serves as an advisory body to the President, provided consultation on the recommendations before the final decision.

Article 72(1) of the Constitution empowers the President to grant pardons and reprieves to convicted persons and to remit penalties imposed by courts. 

This constitutional provision allows the President to exercise mercy in cases where justice may be served through clemency rather than continued imprisonment.

The decision affects inmates across various correctional facilities throughout the country and will require coordination between the Ghana Prisons Service and relevant authorities to process the releases and sentence modifications. 

The amnesty represents the President’s exercise of executive clemency to address prison overcrowding while providing second chances for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD