Amnesty For 998 Prisoners in Ghana by President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has approved amnesty for 998 prisoners following recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and consultations with the Council of State.
This decision, made under Article 72(1) of Ghana’s Constitution, aims to reduce prison overcrowding and offer deserving inmates a second chance.
Who Benefits from the President Mahama’s Amnesty?
The amnesty by President Mahama covers seven key categories of prisoners:
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First-time offenders (787 inmates) – Given a fresh start to reintegrate into society.
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Death row inmates (87 prisoners) – Sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
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Life-term prisoners (51 inmates) – Terms reduced to 20 years.
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Seriously ill prisoners (33 inmates) – Released on humanitarian grounds.
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Inmates over 70 years (36 prisoners) – Freed regardless of their offenses.
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Nursing mothers (2 inmates) – Allowed to care for their children.
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Petition-based cases (2 inmates) – Released after special appeals.
Why President Mahama’s Amnesty Matters
This move aligns with Ghana’s justice reform efforts, focusing on:
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Reducing prison congestion
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Promoting rehabilitation over punishment
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Addressing humanitarian cases like elderly and sick inmates
Next Steps for Freed Prisoners
The government will work with reintegration programs to help released inmates transition smoothly. Meanwhile, the remaining 16 prisoners from the original 1,014 recommendations were not approved for amnesty
