President Akufo-Addo grants amnesty to 794 prisoners

President Akufo-Addo has granted amnesty to 794 deserving prisoners in a bid to mitigate the dangers posed by congestion in Ghana’s prisons.

This is based on the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State, a statement issued June,30th, 2020 by the Director-General of Prisons, Patrick Darko Missah said.

The move is in accordance with Article 72 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.

The categories of convicts affected are as below:

1. First offenders – 772
2. Very old prisoners 70 years and above-16
3. Seriously ill-4
4. Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment-2

The statement explained that the first offenders tallying 772 who have served half of their sentences, 4 seriously ill prisoners and 16 aged (very old) prisoners are to be released outright.