John Mahama grants amnesty to 13 inmates at Wa Central Prison

President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 13 first-offender inmates at the Wa Central Prison, facilitating their reintegration into society. The release, which took place during a ceremony on October 23, 2026, was authorized under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution. This constitutional provision empowers the President, in consultation with the Council of State, to exercise the prerogative of mercy by granting pardons or remitting sentences for persons convicted of various offenses.

Although the prison administration initially submitted 18 names for consideration for the 2026 presidential amnesty, the final approval was granted to 13 individuals. During the official discharge ceremony at the facility, only three of the beneficiaries were physically present to receive their papers; the remaining ten had already been released through standard discharge processes shortly before the amnesty was finalized. Prison authorities emphasized that the selection process was rigorous, focusing on those who demonstrated significant behavioral improvement and remorse during their period of incarceration.

A central theme of this amnesty is the focus on transformation and rehabilitation through vocational training. Many of the released inmates participated in various technical programs during their time at Wa Central Prison. Officials from the Ghana Prisons Service urged the beneficiaries to utilize the skills they acquired—such as tailoring and carpentry—to establish honest livelihoods. They were also cautioned that the amnesty represents a second chance rather than a shield against future legal consequences, with officers reminding them that any subsequent criminal activity would be met with the full force of the law.

The beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity to rebuild their lives outside of the prison walls. Several spoke about their commitment to becoming productive members of their communities and vowed to avoid the circumstances that led to their initial imprisonment. This wave of releases highlights the ongoing efforts within the Ghanaian justice system to reduce prison congestion and prioritize the reformative aspects of the penal code over purely punitive measures.