Mahama Pardons 863 Convicted Persons Ahead of Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary
President John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential pardons to 863 convicted persons as part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary.
The President exercised the prerogative of mercy under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution after consulting the Council of State.
The beneficiaries include 819 first offenders who have been granted outright release, as well as 13 convicted persons aged 70 and above.
The President also commuted the death sentences of 11 prisoners to life imprisonment. Six seriously ill prisoners were granted outright release, while the life sentences of another six were reduced to definite 20-year terms.
Two persons under the special recommendation category and three others whose cases were considered through petitions were also granted outright release. Another three beneficiaries fall under the “others” category.
The Presidency said the decision was intended to mark the Independence Anniversary through an act of mercy and national reflection.
Relevant state institutions have been directed to take the necessary steps to implement the decision.
Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution empowers the President, in consultation with the Council of State, to grant pardons, respite, substitute punishments or remit all or part of a sentence imposed on a person convicted of an offence.
The decision was announced on October 5, 2026, with the Presidency linking it to Ghana’s upcoming 70th Independence Anniversary.
