President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 1,104 prisoners in commemoration of Ghana's 54th Republic Anniversary which fell on Tuesday July 1.

The amnesty is in the exercise of the President's prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution.

A statement issued by Mr James Agalga, Deputy Minister of the Interior on Wednesday said the President acted upon the advice of the Council of State and the recommendation of the Ghana Prison Service. The statement said the categories of prisoners benefitting from the amnesty include 1001 first offenders who had served at least half of their sentences for outright release.

Others are 21 prisoners on death roll who have served at least 10 years and have had their sentences commuted to life, while 71 prisoners serving life sentences and have served at least 10 years had their sentences commuted to a definite term of 20 years.

It said nine seriously ill prisoners were recommended for outright release on medical grounds, one prisoner serving at the President's pleasure was recommended by the Medical Board for outright release, whereas one was released upon special recommendation.

"It is important to note that those recommended for outright release have already been freed by the prison authorities," it stated.

SOURCE: Ghana News Agency (GNA)