President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has exercised his prerogative of mercy in accordance with Article 72 (1) of the Constitution, granting pardons to several convicted individuals.
This decision, announced on December 31, 2024, aims to address various humanitarian concerns and provide relief to those who have demonstrated good behaviour or are facing severe health challenges.
The individuals who have been granted pardons include:
William Ato Essien – Convicted for his role in the collapse of Capital Bank and sentenced to pay GHS90 million, Essien defaulted after partial payment and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in December 2023. He suffers from severe life-threatening medical conditions and has undergone multiple surgeries.
Philip Akpeena Assibit – Sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2018 for willfully causing financial loss to the State related to his role at the National Youth Employment Programme, Assibit has served six years in prison and has pleaded for release on grounds of ill health.
Akwasi Alhassan – Convicted of murder and sentenced to death on March 19, 1993, Alhassan has spent 31 years in prison. He is now serving life imprisonment per a previous presidential order.
Beatrice Ofori – Convicted of human trafficking on June 6, 2023, and sentenced to eight years with hard labor, Ofori, aged 64, is seriously hypertensive and has mobility issues, spending most of her time in the prison infirmary.
Frank Obeng – Convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years in prison, Obeng is currently serving his sentence in Nsawam Prison. His sentence is proposed to be reduced from 40 to 12 years.
Stephen Nyarko – Convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010 and sentenced to 30 years, Nyarko has served 22 years in total, including time spent in remand.
Osman Inusah – Convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, although found not guilty of armed robbery, Inusah has mental health challenges that need to be treated and managed at home.
Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng – Convicted for attempted export and possession of narcotic substances on May 28, 2019, and sentenced to 15 years, Boateng has served eight years in total, including five spent in remand.
Emmanuel Adu Mensah – Convicted of possession of narcotics and sentenced to a prison term of 15 years in April 2024, Mensah is currently serving his prison term in Nsawam Prison.
