In exercise of his Prerogative of Mercy under Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution, and in commemoration of the 54th Anniversary of Ghana's Republic Day, President John Dramani Mahama has granted Amnesty to a total of 1,104 prisoners.
A press statement signed by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, James Agalga, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday said the President granted the pardon upon the advice of the Council of State and the recommendation of the Ghana Prisons Service Council.
The statement said the category of prisoners that came under the Presidential pardon included 1,001 first offenders who had served at least half of their sentences for outright release.
Also, 21 prisoners on death roll who had served at least 10 years had their sentences commuted to life, while 71 prisoners serving life sentences and had served at least 10 years had their sentences commuted to a definite term of 20 years.
It added that nine prisoners who were seriously ill were recommended for outright release on medical grounds.
One prisoner serving at the President's pleasure was recommended by the Medical Board for outright release, while one other person was released upon special recommendation.
The statement indicated that those recommended for outright release had already been freed by the prisons authorities.
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