Mahama grants 998 prisoners amnesty
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana.
This forms part of his constitutional powers of pardon.
The announcement came on Monday, August 18, 2025. It was delivered by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications.
The amnesty followed recommendations by the Prisons Service Council. It also included consultations with the Council of State.
These steps align with Article 72(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. A total of 1,014 inmates were recommended. Out of this number, 998 were approved for release.
Categories of Beneficiaries
- 787 first-time offenders received freedom.
- 87 inmates on death row had sentences changed to life.
- 51 serving life sentences had terms reduced to 20 years.
- 33 seriously ill prisoners were pardoned.
- 36 elderly inmates, aged above 70, were freed.
- 4 nursing mothers also benefited.
Additional petitions also secured special consideration.
These led to further grants of amnesty.
