Full List of convicts granted presidential pardon & how long they were jailed

In a significant decision, outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has granted pardons to several individuals convicted of various crimes.

The move, which follows the president’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, has sparked mixed reactions as it takes into account both the time the convicts have already served and their health conditions.

Below is a list of those who have been granted presidential pardons, shedding light on their offences, sentences, and the rationale behind the decisions.

1. Akwasi Alhassan
   • Conviction: Murder
   • Sentence: Initially sentenced to death on 19th March 1993, and later commuted to life imprisonment.
   • Time Served: 31 years.
   • Reason for Pardon: Alhassan has served over three decades behind bars, raising questions about the rehabilitation and reintegration of long-term prisoners.
2. Beatrice Ofori
   • Conviction: Human trafficking
   • Sentence: 8 years with hard labor, convicted on 6th June, 2023.
   • Time Served: Less than 1 year.
   • Reason for Pardon: Ofori, now 64 years old, suffers from severe hypertension, which has compromised her ability to move freely. She has spent most of her time in the prison infirmary, prompting clemency due to health concerns.
3. William Ato Essien
   • Conviction: Role in the collapse of Capital Bank
   • Sentence: 15 years in prison, convicted in December 2023.
   • Time Served: Several months.
   • Reason for Pardon: Essien, who was also ordered to pay GHS 90 million, is battling severe medical conditions and has undergone multiple surgeries. His deteriorating health conditions were a major factor in the decision to grant mercy.
4. Frank Obeng
   • Conviction: Manslaughter
   • Sentence: 40 years in prison.
   • Time Served: Several years.
   • Reason for Pardon: Obeng’s sentence has been reduced to 12 years, acknowledging his time served and potential for rehabilitation. The reduction reflects the government’s recognition of his progress and the need for second chances.
5. Stephen Nyarko
   • Conviction: Conspiracy to rob and robbery
   • Sentence: 30 years, convicted in December 2010.
   • Time Served: 22 years.
   • Reason for Pardon: Nyarko, who has already spent over two decades in prison, is granted clemency for his progress in rehabilitation and the lengthy time he has already served.
6. Philip Akpeena Assibit
   • Conviction: Causing financial loss to the state
   • Sentence: 12 years, sentenced in 2018.
   • Time Served: 6 years.
   • Reason for Pardon: Assibit’s plea for release due to health issues was considered. His deteriorating condition has been a key factor in granting the pardon.
7. Osman Inusah
   • Conviction: Conspiracy to commit robbery (not guilty of armed robbery)
   • Sentence: Convicted but had mental health challenges.
   • Time Served: Undisclosed.
   • Reason for Pardon: Inusah has mental health issues that need to be treated at home, making his case a humanitarian consideration for clemency.
8. Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng
   • Conviction: Attempted export and possession of narcotic substances
   • Sentence: 15 years, convicted on 28th May, 2019.
   • Time Served: 8 years (including 5 years spent in remand).
   • Reason for Pardon: Boateng’s time in remand and the partial sentence served were key factors in his consideration for mercy.
9. Emmanuel Adu Mensah
   • Conviction: Possession of narcotics
   • Sentence: 15 years, convicted in April 2024.
   • Time Served: Less than a year.
   • Reason for Pardon: Mensah’s case highlights ongoing legal battles, but his health and time already served in prison were part of the decision to grant clemency.

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