President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy to pardon several convicts, including Ato Essien, the former Chief Executive Officer of the now-defunct Capital Bank.
The announcement, communicated in a letter dated December 31, 2024, was part of a broader clemency initiative to mark the close of the year with acts of reconciliation and leniency.
Ato Essien became embroiled in legal troubles following the collapse of Capital Bank, a key institution implicated in Ghana’s financial sector cleanup between 2017 and 2019.
He was convicted for financial crimes, including the misappropriation of GH¢620 million in liquidity support from the Bank of Ghana, which contributed to the banking sector’s instability and loss of public trust.
Initially sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in October 2023, Essien had failed to fully comply with the terms of a restitution agreement with the state. The deal required him to repay GH¢90 million to avoid incarceration. Despite multiple extensions granted since December 2022, he paid only a fraction of the amount, leading to the enforcement of his sentence. Reports indicate that Essien has been battling severe, life-threatening medical conditions and has undergone multiple surgeries, influencing the President’s decision to grant clemency.
Another high-profile beneficiary of the presidential pardon is Philip Assibit, who was serving a 12-year sentence for willfully causing financial loss to the state. Assibit’s conviction stemmed from a fraudulent transaction involving $4 million intended for the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).
He was found guilty of fabricating documents to justify the payment, which caused significant financial losses to the state.
In addition to Essien and Assibit, the President extended clemency to seven other convicts:
1.Akwasi Alhassan – Convicted of murder in 1993 and sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after serving 31 years.
2.Beatrice Ofori – A 64-year-old hypertensive woman sentenced to eight years for human trafficking in 2023. Her deteriorating health, including severe mobility challenges, warranted her inclusion.
3.Frank Obeng – Convicted of manslaughter and originally sentenced to 40 years, his sentence has been reduced to 12 years.
4.Stephen Nyarko – Convicted of robbery in 2010 and sentenced to 30 years. Having served 22 years, including time on remand, he received clemency.
5.Osman Inusah – Convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, although found not guilty of armed robbery. His pardon was influenced by documented mental health challenges.
6.Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng – Convicted of narcotics-related offenses in 2019 and sentenced to 15 years. After serving eight years, including five on remand, his sentence was reduced.
7.Emmanuel Adu Mensah – Sentenced to 15 years in 2024 for possession of narcotics, he received clemency after a year in prison.
This clemency initiative reflects the President’s commitment to exercising compassion in specific cases of medical need, long-term imprisonment, or mitigating circumstances.
The decision has sparked varied reactions across the nation, as the pardoned individuals include both financial offenders and those convicted of violent crimes.
