Presidential Amnesty: Emotional Scenes as Prisoners Reunite With Families
- President Mahama granted amnesty to 998 inmates, reducing overcrowding and giving many a second chance at life
- The touching video showed an emotional inmate in a wheelchair, overwhelmed by the moment, soon after his release
- Prisoners at Kumasi Central Prison reunited with their families in scenes filled with tears and gratitude
The atmosphere at Kumasi Central Prison was charged with cries of joy as prisoners granted amnesty by President John Mahama were reunited with their families.
Source: Getty Images
A video doing the rounds online depicted a mix of joy, relief, and reflection after the selected individuals emerged from the gate of the Kumasi Central Prison to meet their loved ones.
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that the president granted amnesty to 998 prisoners serving various sentences across the country’s prisons. This was in accordance with the statement released by Felix Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications.
1,014 inmates were recommended for consideration; however, 998 of them were granted amnesty. Some of these prisoners were being detained at the Kumasi Central Prison, and their joy was evident based on the trending video.
Presidential amnesty moves inmates to tears
One particular scene that has since gone viral is the case of a man who had spent many years behind bars until President Mahama's amnesty program was rolled out.
The man was visibly overwhelmed with emotion, holding a bag bearing a picture of the president.
Source: Twitter
The man's posture, with his head bowed and hand covering his face, spoke volumes about the weight of the moment. President Mahama's decision to grant amnesty to these individuals was part of a broader initiative to foster reconciliation and reintegration into society.
The amnesty, announced in August 2025, aims to reduce prison overcrowding and offer a second chance to those who had served part of their sentences or were deemed eligible for early release based on good behaviour and rehabilitation efforts.
Family members, some of whom had not seen their loved ones in years, gathered outside the prison gates. The reunion was marked by tears, hugs, and expressions of gratitude.
Watch the emotional video below:
Kumasi Central Prison inmates' release stirs reactions
YEN.com.gh collected reactions from Ghanaians who watched the emotional moment online. Some of the comments are below.
@GhanaSocialUni said:
"John Mahama is greater than NPP. God bless him."
@ohenela commented:
"Wow. Goosebumps all over my body. I gave the man in the wheelchair a ride today at Ahwia when he was practically stranded trying to locate a friend. He said he didn’t want to go back home in a wheelchair cos he didn’t go to prison in a wheelchair. 😭😭"
@Tytis wrote:
"Nana Addo never looked their way."
@bwana_369 commented:
"You'll never see the value of freedom you're enjoying until you go to where they were."
Prison officer lauds Mahama for his amnesty
Ama Asantewaa, a prison officer stationed at Kete-Krachi, praised President Mahama's recent amnesty decision in an interview with YEN.com.gh.
"In August 2025, President Mahama exercised his constitutional authority to grant amnesty to 998 prisoners," she explained. "This included first-time offenders, the elderly, seriously ill inmates, and some on death row whose sentences were commuted to life or reduced terms."
She highlighted the careful process behind the decision. "The amnesty followed recommendations from the Prisons Service Council and consultations with the Council of State, ensuring it was done within legal frameworks," Asantewaa noted.
She emphasized the dual purpose of the move. "This was a humanitarian act to support vulnerable inmates and a practical step to ease the strain on our overcrowded prisons," she said, commending the President for addressing both compassion and systemic challenges.
Nana Agradaa: Prison officer speaks on amnesty
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that CSP Abdul Latif, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, opened up about reports that Nana Agradaa was granted amnesty.
The CSP denied the reports and explained exactly when the jailed preacher would be eligible to have her sentence reduced.
Nana Agradaa was jailed for fifteen years with hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, July 3, 2025, after being convicted of defrauding by false pretences.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
