President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana, following recommendations by the Prisons Service Council and consultations with the Council of State.
The decision, announced on Monday, August 18, 2025, was made in line with Article 72(1) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences.
Out of a total of 1,014 cases recommended, 998 prisoners were approved for release or sentence reduction.
The beneficiaries fall under specific categories, including first-time offenders, the seriously ill, elderly convicts, nursing mothers, and inmates serving death or life sentences.
Breakdown of Beneficiaries
According to the statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of Government Communications and spokesperson to the President, the amnesty covers:
First-time offenders – 787 persons
Death sentences commuted to life imprisonment – 87 persons
Life sentences commuted to 20 years definite term – 51 persons
Seriously ill prisoners – 33 persons
Prisoners over 70 years, irrespective of offence – 36 persons
Nursing mothers – 2 persons
Petition cases – 2 persons
What is Presidential Amnesty?
Presidential amnesty is a constitutional provision that allows the President, acting on recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and the Council of State, to pardon prisoners or reduce their sentences.
The measure is often used to decongest prisons, address humanitarian concerns, and ensure justice is tempered with mercy, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the sick, and nursing mothers.
