President John Dramani Mahama has granted a presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons, including 819 first-time offenders who are to be released outright, as part of activities marking Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary. The decision was announced on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The pardon also commutes the death sentences of 11 prisoners to life imprisonment and reduces six life sentences to 20-year definite terms.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the President’s Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, and reported by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and other outlets.
Ghana will mark 70 years of independence on March 6, 2027. The Presidency said the pardon forms part of the commemoration of the milestone and is intended to mark the occasion “with an act of mercy and national reflection.”
Mahama pardons 863 prisoners under Article 72(1)
The President exercised the prerogative of mercy under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, after consultation with the Council of State.
Article 72 allows the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State, to grant pardons, substitute less severe punishments, or remit sentences for convicted persons.
The relevant state institutions have been directed to take the necessary steps to give effect to the President’s decision.
Full breakdown of the 863 pardoned prisoners
According to the statement, the 863 beneficiaries fall into the following categories:
- 819 first-time offenders – outright release
- 13 convicted persons aged 70 years and above – outright release
- 6 seriously ill persons – outright release
- 11 persons on death row – sentences commuted to life imprisonment
- 6 persons serving life sentences – commuted to 20-year definite sentences
- 2 persons – outright release on special recommendation
- 3 persons – pardoned following petitions
- 3 persons – other categories
First-time offenders make up about 95% of the total, making them by far the largest group to benefit.
How the 2026 pardon compares with Mahama’s 2025 amnesty
This is not the first time President Mahama has used the prerogative of mercy since returning to office. In August 2025, he granted amnesty to 998 prisoners out of 1,014 recommended by the Prisons Service Council.
- Total beneficiaries: 998 (August 2025) vs 863 (October 2026)
- First-time offenders: 787 (2025) vs 819 (2026)
- Death sentences commuted to life: 87 (2025) vs 11 (2026)
- Life sentences reduced to 20 years: 51 (2025) vs 6 (2026)
- Prisoners aged 70 and above: 36 (2025) vs 13 (2026)
- Seriously ill prisoners: 33 (2025) vs 6 (2026)
The new list is smaller overall, but it releases more first-time offenders than the 2025 exercise. Presidential pardons have drawn public attention in the past, including the debate over Akufo-Addo’s pardon of Capital Bank founder Ato Essien and 10 others.
What the presidential pardon means for prisoners and families
For 843 of the beneficiaries – the first-time offenders, the elderly, the seriously ill and those granted release on special recommendation – the pardon means freedom from prison.
The 11 inmates on death row will no longer face execution but will remain in custody serving life terms. The six lifers whose sentences have been commuted now have fixed 20-year terms.
For families, the release of elderly and seriously ill inmates is likely to be the most closely watched part of the exercise. The statement did not name any of the individual beneficiaries.
What happens next
The state institutions responsible, including the Ghana Prisons Service, are expected to process the releases and sentence changes in line with the President’s directive.
No date for the actual release of the prisoners was given in the statement. The pardon is the latest activity linked to the build-up to the 70th Independence Anniversary on March 6, 2027.
Key details at a glance
- President Mahama has pardoned 863 convicted persons.
- 819 first-time offenders will be released outright.
- 11 death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment.
- 6 life sentences have been reduced to 20 years.
- 13 inmates aged 70 and above and 6 seriously ill inmates are to be freed.
- The pardon was granted under Article 72(1) after consultation with the Council of State.
- It marks Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary, which falls on March 6, 2027.
FAQs
How many prisoners did Mahama pardon in October 2026?
President Mahama pardoned 863 convicted persons on October 5, 2026, including 819 first-time offenders who will be released outright.
Why did Mahama pardon 863 prisoners?
The Presidency said the pardon is part of activities commemorating Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary and is meant to mark the milestone with an act of mercy and national reflection.
Which law allows the President of Ghana to pardon prisoners?
Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution allows the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State, to grant pardons or reduce the sentences of convicted persons.
In summary, President Mahama’s pardon of 863 convicts – led by 819 first-time offenders and including the commutation of 11 death sentences – is one of the first major acts tied to Ghana’s 70th independence celebrations. The relevant state institutions are now expected to carry out the releases and sentence changes.
