President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy, granting pardons to several convicts as part of a year-end initiative to promote leniency and reconciliation. Apexnewsgh reports
The clemency, announced in a letter dated December 31, 2024, has sparked mixed reactions across the country.
One of the notable beneficiaries of the presidential pardon is Ato Essien, the former CEO of the defunct Capital Bank. Essien was convicted for financial crimes involving the mismanagement of GH¢620 million in liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana to Capital Bank. His actions were linked to the collapse of the bank and subsequent financial instability in Ghana. Despite being sentenced to 15 years in October 2023, Essien’s deteriorating health played a key role in the clemency decision.
Another convict who received clemency is Philip Assibit, who was convicted for his involvement in a $4 million fraudulent transaction linked to the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA). Assibit was serving a 12-year sentence for willfully causing financial loss to the state.
In addition to Essien and Assibit, the President extended clemency to seven other convicts under unique circumstances. These include:
a. Akwasi Alhassan: Convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1993, Alhassan’s sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment after serving 31 years.
b. Beatrice Ofori: A 64-year-old woman convicted of human trafficking in 2023, Ofori’s severe hypertension and impaired mobility influenced her pardon.
c. Frank Obeng: Originally sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter, Obeng’s sentence has been reduced to 12 years after serving part of his term at Nsawam Prison.
e. Stephen Nyarko: Convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in 2010, Nyarko has served 22 years, including time in remand.
f. Osman Inusah: Convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, Inusah’s pardon was granted due to mental health challenges requiring external treatment.
g. Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng: Convicted in 2019 for attempted export and possession of narcotics, Boateng has served eight years, including five in remand.
h. Emmanuel Adu Mensah: Serving a 15-year sentence since April 2024 for narcotics possession, Adu Mensah is currently at Nsawam Prison.
The President’s decision to grant clemency to these convicts has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move as a show of mercy and compassion, while others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on justice and accountability.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
