President Nana Akufo-Addo upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State has granted amnesty to 808 convict prisoners.
-The categories of the convicts to benefit from the amnesty include first offenders, seriously ill inmates, inmates on death row to be commuted to life imprisonment, etc
Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo has granted amnesty to 808 prisoners, the Prisons Service has announced.
The categories of the prisoners released are First offenders – 783, seriously ill – 11, inmates on death row to be commuted to life imprisonment – 7 and inmates serving a life sentence to have the sentence commuted to 20 years definite term – 4. Three very old prisoners who are 70 years and above have also been granted amnesty.
According to the statement, the first offenders totalling 783 who have served half of their sentences, 11 seriously ill prisoners and three aged (very old) prisoners are to be released outright.
However, seven 7 prisoners on death row would have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment; while four prisoners serving life sentence will be commuted to 20 years definite term.
Meanwhile, the Crime Check Foundation (CCF) says the granting of amnesty to 808 prisoners by President Akufo-Addo, was woefully inadequate in the fight against the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in prisons.
Rather, it has appealed to the President, to should consider pardoning more first time offenders.
He said this is part of the government’s measures to curb the spread of the disease.
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, reiterated that the president wants all individuals tested.
