President John Dramani Mahama has exercised his constitutional powers to grant amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana’s correctional facilities, marking a significant humanitarian gesture in his second term as head of state.
The announcement, made through a statement issued by Minister of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu on Monday, August 18, 2025, affects prisoners serving various jail terms nationwide.
The gesture is upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
The presidential amnesty covers several vulnerable categories of inmates. The categories of convicts affected 787 first-time offenders, 87 people on death row to be commuted to life imprisonment, addressing longstanding concerns about Ghana’s application of capital punishment.
Among the beneficiaries are two nursing mothers currently serving sentences, reflecting the administration’s focus on protecting maternal welfare within the correctional system.
The amnesty also extends to seriously ill prisoners and elderly inmates who pose minimal security risks to society.
Additionally, clemency was granted to two prisoners based on specific petitions considered. The President approved 998 out of the One Thousand and Fourteen (1,014) inmates recommended for amnesty by the Prisons Service Council.
The decision follows proper constitutional procedures, with President Mahama consulting the Council of State as required under Article 72(1) of Ghana’s Constitution.
The Prisons Service Council’s recommendations formed the basis for selecting eligible inmates, ensuring a systematic approach to the amnesty process.
The statement underscores that the amnesty reflects a commitment to upholding the ideals of fairness, humanitarianism, and rehabilitation.
By focusing on vulnerable groups such as the seriously ill and first-time offenders, the administration emphasizes rehabilitation over purely punitive measures.
This amnesty comes as Ghana continues to grapple with prison overcrowding and the need for criminal justice reform. The measure particularly benefits inmates who demonstrated good behavior during incarceration and those whose continued imprisonment may not serve broader public safety interests.
The presidential amnesty represents one of the early major decisions of Mahama’s second presidency, signaling his administration’s approach to criminal justice and prisoner welfare.
The affected inmates are expected to be released following the completion of administrative processes at their respective correctional facilities.
This story is developing…
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
