{
  "id": 12213290,
  "title": "Mahama grants presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mahama-grants-presidential-pardon-to-863-convicted-persons-12213290",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T19:27:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/mahama-grants-presidential-pardon-to-863-convicted-persons/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential pardons to 863 convicted individuals in commemoration of Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary. This decision, made in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, involved consultation with the Council of State. The pardons encompass various groups of convicted persons, with the majority being first offenders.\n\nOut of the 863 pardoned, 819 were first offenders who received outright release. Additionally, 13 individuals aged 70 years or older were also granted release. The President commuted the death sentences of 11 convicts to life imprisonment, while six seriously ill prisoners had their sentences commuted to outright release. Another six convicts saw their life sentences converted to 20-year definite sentences.\n\nSpecial recommendations led to the release of two persons outright. Three individuals submitted petitions and received relief, and three more were included in the presidential pardon under the \"others\" category. In total, the pardons cover 863 convicted persons.\n\nThe announcement stated that the pardons were granted as a gesture of mercy and for national reflection on Ghana’s Independence. The relevant state institutions have been instructed to implement the President's decision. This act is part of the President's constitutional powers under Article 72, which allows for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy in specified situations following consultation with the Council of State.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has granted presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons as part of the commemoration of Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary. The President exercised the prerogative of mercy in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution and following consultation with the Council of State. The decision covers different categories of convicted persons, with […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama grants presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mahama-grants-presidential-pardon-to-863-convicted-persons",
        "published": "2026-10-05T18:49:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "President Mahama grants pardon to 863 prisoners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/president-mahama-grants-pardon-to-863-prisoners",
        "published": "2026-10-05T19:08:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama grants presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mahama-grants-presidential-pardon-to-863-convicted-persons-12213572",
        "published": "2026-10-05T19:11:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Chronicle Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama pardons 863 convicted persons",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/mahama-pardons-863-convicted-persons",
        "published": "2026-10-05T19:13:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}