President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has exercised his constitutional authority to grant presidential pardons to 863 convicted persons. This act of mercy was announced in a statement and is in commemoration of Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary. The decision was made in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, following consultation with the Council of State. The presidency described this act as one of national reflection.
The 863 beneficiaries of the presidential pardon fall across eight distinct categories. The largest group comprises 819 first offenders who will be released outright. This group is followed by 13 prisoners aged 70 years and above, six individuals classified as seriously ill, and two granted pardons on special recommendation. Additionally, eleven inmates currently on death row will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while six serving life sentences will have their terms reduced to a definite 20-year sentence.
The pardons also include three individuals who submitted petitions and three others classified under a separate category. Relevant state institutions have been directed to take the necessary steps to implement the president's decision. This process will involve the administrative steps required to release or commute the sentences of the beneficiaries. The presidency did not release the names of individuals included in any of the categories.
The Office of the President stated that the pardon was granted in direct commemoration of Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary. This act is consistent with the significance of the occasion and is an established practice in Ghana. Presidential pardons tied to national commemorations allow the sitting president to exercise the prerogative of mercy for humanitarian and symbolic reasons at key moments in the country's calendar.
In 2025, President Mahama was petitioned by a lawyer to grant a presidential pardon to William Ato Essien, founder of Capital Bank. Ato Essien is currently sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing over GH¢90 million of liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank. The petition submitted by Andrew Appiah-Danquah described the sentence as a great injustice.
The exercise of presidential pardons is a significant aspect of Ghana's justice system. It allows the president to review cases and grant mercy to individuals who meet specific criteria. In this instance, the pardons reflect the president's commitment to humanitarian and symbolic gestures on national occasions. The implementation of the pardons will be carried out by the relevant state institutions.
President Mahama's decision to grant pardons to 863 prisoners demonstrates his commitment to exercising the prerogative of mercy. This act is in line with Ghana's tradition of granting presidential pardons on significant national occasions. The pardons will have a positive impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and their families.
Key points
- President John Mahama granted pardons to 863 prisoners to mark Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary.
- The pardons cover multiple categories, including first offenders, the seriously ill, the elderly, and those on death row.
- The decision was made in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, following consultation with the Council of State.
