President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana. The decision, announced in Accra, comes as part of measures to ease congestion in the nation’s prisons and give deserving inmates a second chance at life.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the amnesty covers inmates who have demonstrated good conduct during their incarceration, including the elderly, the seriously ill, and long-serving prisoners who have served most of their sentences.
Officials explained that the gesture reflects the government’s commitment to upholding human dignity and promoting rehabilitation rather than excessive punishment. It also follows recommendations made by the Prisons Service Council and the Council of State.
The release is expected to reduce pressure on Ghana’s overcrowded prison facilities, which continue to face challenges such as inadequate space, limited resources, and strained health conditions.
President Mahama, in granting the amnesty, urged the released inmates to reintegrate into society with renewed purpose, stressing that their freedom should serve as an opportunity for change. He encouraged families and communities to welcome them back with compassion.
Civil society groups have welcomed the move, describing it as both humane and necessary. They, however, called for further reforms within Ghana’s justice and correctional systems to ensure that prison remains a place of true rehabilitation.
The Ghana Prisons Service has begun the process of releasing the affected prisoners and will provide support for their reintegration into their communities.
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