Presidential Amnesty 2025: Agradaa and Ato Essien Left Out of Mahama’s Pardon List

Presidential amnesty 2025 – In a major development that has drawn public interest, President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners across Ghana’s correctional facilities. The announcement, issued by the presidency on Monday evening, highlighted a broad range of inmates benefiting from this constitutional mercy, but notably absent from the list are Patricia Asiedu Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, and former Capital Bank boss William Ato Essien.

Humanitarian Reasons Behind Presidential Amnesty

The presidential amnesty comes at a time when Ghana’s prisons continue to struggle with congestion and resource constraints. According to the statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the decision was made after careful consideration of recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State.

The president’s approval covers 998 prisoners out of 1,014 inmates initially recommended for release. The categories of beneficiaries reflect a strong humanitarian angle, prioritizing the elderly, the sick, nursing mothers, and first-time offenders.

Specifically, the amnesty includes:

33 seriously ill prisoners battling critical health conditions.

36 inmates aged over 70 years, released irrespective of their offences.

2 nursing mothers, freed on compassionate grounds.

787 first-time offenders, granted mercy as a second chance at life.

87 death row inmates, who will now have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

51 prisoners serving life sentences, whose terms have been reduced to a fixed 20 years.

Why Ato Essien Was Not Included

The case of William Ato Essien, former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Capital Bank, has been a major talking point in recent weeks. Essien was convicted in 2023 for misapplying Bank of Ghana liquidity support and handed a 15-year jail term. However, he is currently out on medical bail pending the outcome of an appeal.

Essien’s petition for a presidential pardon had attracted strong public support, with many citing fairness and health concerns. His supporters argued that other individuals linked to the collapse of financial institutions had their charges discontinued by the government, making it unjust for Essien to remain the only one serving time.

Furthermore, reports indicated that Essien’s health has deteriorated, with sources confirming that he has been dependent on a wheelchair and has been admitted at the 37 Military Hospital for treatment. Despite this, the 998-pardon list does not include his name, leaving his case to be determined by the courts.

Nana Agradaa Also Misses Out

Another high-profile inmate excluded from the presidential pardon is Patricia Asiedu Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa. The former fetish priestess turned evangelist was convicted in 2025 and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges relating to defrauding members of the public.

Agradaa has barely served six months of her jail term, a factor that disqualified her from being considered under the humanitarian categories of the amnesty. Her absence from the list makes it clear that only inmates who had served considerable portions of their sentences or fell within vulnerable groups qualified for consideration.

Focus on Vulnerable Groups and Prison Decongestion

The presidential amnesty 2025 is being hailed as a major step toward easing overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons. With over 787 first-time offenders set free, the move is expected to reduce pressure on correctional facilities while offering second chances to individuals who may reintegrate into society as reformed citizens.

In addition, the inclusion of elderly inmates, nursing mothers, and those facing severe health challenges reflects a deliberate effort by the presidency to apply mercy where it matters most. According to sources, humanitarian considerations played a significant role in shaping President Mahama’s final decision.

What Presidential Amnesty Means

Presidential amnesty is a constitutional provision under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. It empowers the president, acting on recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State, to grant pardons, commute sentences, or remit portions of prison terms.

Such acts of clemency are often exercised to:

Decongest overcrowded prisons.

Address humanitarian issues among vulnerable prisoners.

Ensure justice is balanced with mercy.

Provide second chances for offenders deemed capable of rehabilitation.

Public Reactions to the Amnesty

Presidential amnesty 2025 – The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across the country. While many commend the president for showing compassion to vulnerable groups, others are disappointed that high-profile figures like Ato Essien and Nana Agradaa were not included.

Supporters of Essien maintain that his health and the circumstances of his conviction warranted clemency, while others argue that granting him amnesty would undermine accountability in the banking sector. Similarly, opinions remain divided on Agradaa, with some insisting she deserves to serve her sentence fully given the magnitude of her offences.

A Constitutional Act of Mercy

In total, the release of 998 inmates underscores the principle that while justice must be served, it can also be tempered with mercy. The move is expected to significantly decongest Ghana’s prisons, which have long been criticized for overcrowding and inhumane conditions.

Ultimately, President Mahama’s decision reinforces the delicate balance between justice, fairness, and compassion. By focusing on vulnerable prisoners, the presidency has demonstrated that the 2025 presidential amnesty was not about personalities, but about addressing systemic challenges and showing humanity in governance.

Read also: NPP Grants General Amnesty to All Suspended Members