Ghana’s prison system witnessed a massive shake-up as President John Mahama approved amnesty for nearly 1,000 inmates. The announcement sparked widespread discussions, particularly around notable figures like Nana Agradaa and Ato Essien, whose inclusion or exclusion has become a trending topic online.
However, the spotlight quickly shifted to high-profile convicts such as Nana Agradaa and Ato Essien, with many eager to know whether their names appeared among the beneficiaries.
Who Are Included:
- 33 seriously ill inmates
- 36 inmates aged 70 years and above
- 2 nursing mothers
- 87 inmates on death row—their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment
- 51 inmates serving life sentences—their sentences were reduced to a fixed 20-year term
- 787 first-time offenders who are being released
Additionally, two unnamed prisoners who had submitted petitions for pardon were included, though their identities were not disclosed in the presidential statement.
The amnesty was positioned as a humanitarian gesture, aimed at alleviating prison overcrowding while offering constitutional mercy.
Nana Agradaa’s Status: Was She Included?
No, Nana Agradaa (Patricia Asiedu Asiamah) was not among the beneficiaries. As she has served less than six months of her 15-year sentence, she was deemed ineligible for this round of amnesty.
Likewise, William Ato Essien, the former CEO of Capital Bank who had petitioned for a pardon on health grounds, was also excluded. He is currently on medical bail pending his appeal.
Additional Context
Confusion initially arose on social media about whether Nana Agradaa might benefit from the presidential pardon. Discussions also extended to why certain high-profile figures, including Agradaa and Ato Essien, were not covered under the amnesty despite the broad range of beneficiaries.
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of announcement | August 18, 2025 |
| Total granted amnesty | 998 inmates |
| Inclusion Criteria | Seriously ill prisoners, elderly (70+), nursing mothers, death row convicts, life sentence inmates, first-time offenders, and two anonymous petitioners |
| Nana Agradaa | Not included — insufficient time served |
| Ato Essien | Not included — currently on medical bail, under appeal |
| Purpose | Humanitarian relief, decongestion, mercy under constitutional provisions |
President Mahama’s amnesty reflects a balance between justice and compassion. While it covers a broad range of humanitarian cases, high-profile individuals like Nana Agradaa and Ato Essien were notably excluded, underscoring that eligibility adhered strictly to predefined criteria primarily length of service, health status, and petitioning rather than case notoriety.
