President John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential amnesty to 998 prisoners across the country, following recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and consultations with the Council of State.
The decision was announced in a statement from the Presidency dated Monday, August 18, 2025.
The statement, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, said the amnesty was granted in line with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution. Out of a total of 1,014 convicts recommended, 998 were approved.
According to the release, 787 of those pardoned were first-time offenders. In addition, 87 death-row inmates had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 51 convicts serving life sentences had theirs reduced to a definite term of 20 years.
Another 33 prisoners who were classified as seriously ill also benefited, together with 36 convicts aged over 70 years irrespective of their offence. Two nursing mothers and two prisoners who applied through petitions were also included in the categories.
The announcement adds to the history of presidential amnesties granted under Ghana’s Constitution, which allows the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State, to exercise the prerogative of mercy. The Presidency’s release underlined that the decision followed the laid-down constitutional process and was based on recommendations from the relevant authorities.
In response to the news, the Human Rights Committee of Parliament issued a statement commending the President for the gesture. The Committee, chaired by Ernest Yaw Anim, described the amnesty as a significant step forward and an indication of shared commitment to advancing human dignity.
The Committee recalled that it had earlier visited the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons on May 19, 2025, to assess conditions and the welfare of inmates.
During that visit, members of the Committee urged the government to speed up reforms to improve the state of facilities across the country. In its statement, the Committee also renewed calls for a review of the current feeding allocation for prisoners, which stands at GH¢1.80 per day. It proposed a minimum of GH¢5, arguing that such a revision would not only safeguard the rights of inmates but also ensure compliance with both local and international standards.
“The Committee believes this will go a long way to guarantee the rights of prisoners, ensure adherence to both local and international law, and help achieve the realization of a fairer, just and progressive society,” the statement signed by Hon. Anim said.
By: Joshua Narh