President John Dramani Mahama has granted a presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons as part of activities commemorating Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary.
The President exercised the prerogative of mercy in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution and following consultation with the Council of State.
In a statement signed by the President’s Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Monday, October 5, 2026, the Presidency said the pardon is intended to mark the milestone anniversary with an act of clemency and national reflection.
According to the statement, relevant state institutions have been directed to take the necessary steps to give immediate effect to the President’s decision.
Breakdown of Beneficiaries
Of the 863 beneficiaries, the majority are first-time offenders.
– 819 first offenders have been granted outright release.
– 13 convicted persons aged 70 years and above have been granted outright release.
– 6 seriousl ill persons have been released on medical grounds.
The President also commuted several capital and life sentences:
– The sentences of 11 persons on death row have been commuted to life imprisonment.
– 6 life sentences have been commuted to 20-year definite sentences.
– 2 persons have been granted outright release under special recommendations.
– 3 beneficiaries were granted pardon following petitions.
– 3 other persons fall under other categories considered by the Council of State.
Constitutional Mandate
The pardon was granted under Article 72(1), which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of an offence, after consultation with the Council of State.
The gesture aligns with a long-standing tradition where Presidents mark significant national anniversaries with acts of mercy aimed at decongesting prisons, promoting rehabilitation, and offering deserving convicts a second chance.
The Ghana Prisons Service and other relevant agencies are expected to begin processing the release of beneficiaries immediately.
