Mahama Pardons 863 Convicted Persons

President John Dramani Mahama has granted a presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons as part of commemorations marking Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary.

The President exercised the prerogative of mercy on Monday, October 5, 2026, in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution and following consultation with the Council of State.

The Mahama presidential pardon covers several categories of convicted persons, including first offenders, elderly inmates, seriously ill persons and individuals serving life or death sentences.

The decision forms part of the commemoration of Ghana’s 70th independence milestone, with relevant state institutions directed to take the necessary steps to implement the President’s decision.

The Presidency announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.

Under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the President exercises the prerogative of mercy in relation to convicted persons. The latest decision follows consultation with the Council of State as required under the constitutional framework.

The Presidency said the pardon was granted specifically in commemoration of Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary, linking the exercise to the significance of the national milestone.

“The grant of pardon is made in commemoration of Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary, marking this significant milestone in the nation’s history with an act of mercy and national reflection” a statement from Felix Ofosu Kwakye stated,

The decision therefore combines the constitutional exercise of presidential mercy with the national significance of Ghana’s 70th independence milestone.

First offenders make up the largest category among the 863 people covered by the Mahama presidential pardon. A total of 819 first offenders have been granted outright release. This represents the overwhelming majority of beneficiaries under the exercise.

The Presidency also identified people aged 70 years and above as a separate category. Thirteen elderly convicted persons have been granted outright release. Six seriously ill persons have also received outright release, extending the measure to convicted persons facing serious health challenges.

Together, the three categories account for 838 of the 863 beneficiaries. The Presidency’s breakdown shows that the remaining beneficiaries fall under different forms of relief, including sentence commutations, petitions and special recommendations.

The presidential decision also affects convicted persons serving death and life sentences. Eleven death sentences have been commuted to life sentences under the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.

Six persons serving life sentences will also have their sentences commuted to 20 years definite. The measures provide different forms of relief depending on the circumstances and sentences of the beneficiaries.

The Presidency did not provide details of the individual offences or cases involved, instead presenting the beneficiaries according to the categories covered by the decision. In a running reference to the decision, the Presidency said the President had acted in accordance with Article 72(1) and after consultation with the Council of State.

The presidential pardon also covers individuals considered under special recommendations and petitions. Two persons have been granted outright release under the special recommendation category, while three beneficiaries were considered under petitions.

Another three persons were listed under the category of “Others.” These additional categories bring the total number of beneficiaries to 863.

The distribution includes 819 first offenders, 13 persons aged 70 years and above, 11 death sentences commuted to life, six seriously ill persons released, six life sentences commuted to 20 years definite, two special recommendations, three petitions and three others.

The figures demonstrate the range of measures included in the President’s decision, from outright releases to sentence reductions.