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President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana, following recommendations by the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State.
The decision, announced on Monday, August 18, 2025, was made in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which empowers the President to exercise the prerogative of mercy.
Out of the 1,014 convicts recommended, 998 were approved after final assessments.
According to a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, the beneficiaries fall under several categories:
- 787 first-time offenders
- 87 convicts on death row, whose sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment
- 51 lifers to have sentences commuted to 20 years definite term
- 33 prisoners classified as seriously ill
- 36 inmates aged over 70 years, irrespective of their offences
- 2 nursing mothers
- 2 petition cases granted special consideration
The statement emphasized that the move is in line with Ghana’s efforts to uphold justice while ensuring compassion for vulnerable categories of inmates.
This mass amnesty marks a significant exercise of executive clemency and has already triggered discussions on its social, legal, and security implications.
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source: nkonkonsa.com
