Amnesty International Ghana has called on the government to intensify efforts to reform the country’s prison system, following the recent presidential amnesty granted to hundreds of inmates.
Country Director, Genevieve Partington outlined key areas for reform, including an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates, currently set at GH₵1.80, as well as the commutation of all death row sentences to life imprisonment.
“As of 2024, the feeding allowance stood at GH₵1.80 per day. We are urging the government to increase this amount,” Partington stated.
“We also call for the remaining death row inmates to have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, as part of efforts to fully abolish the death penalty. Additionally, we urge Ghana to sign the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR and make progress on the Community Sentencing Bill.”
She also advocated for the introduction of community service for first-time offenders and those convicted of minor crimes.
“The community sentencing bill that is within non-custodial sentencing. Now, what is that? It simply means that should you commit a petty offence, steal a goat, steal 200 cedis, it’s still an offence. However, you won’t do jail time for it. What will happen is that you give service to the community.”
Her comments follow President Mahama’s announcement of clemency for 998 inmates across the country. Of the 183 inmates currently on death row, seven of whom are women, 87 received presidential amnesty, with their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
In an interview with TV3’s Beatrice Sowah on Thursday, August 21, 2025 Amnesty International praised the move as a “significant step” toward justice reform.
“This is a step in the right direction for human rights,” Partington affirmed.
Ghana partially abolished the death penalty in 2024 through the passage of the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill. However, the crime of treason remains punishable by death.
Partington stressed that inmates should be treated with dignity and not dehumanized.
“Prison is not just a place of punishment, it should also be a place for rehabilitation and reform,” she said. “When someone is on death row, they’re excluded from these programmes. They’re essentially left to rot in jail, with no opportunity for growth or change. That’s why Amnesty International believes death row should not exist.”
She also highlighted systemic inequalities within the justice system, noting that the vast majority of death row inmates lack higher education.
“When you speak to those on death row, you’ll find that around 90% do not have a degree. This reflects a broader issue, certain segments of our population are disproportionately represented in the prison system.”
Partington added that the recent amnesty will help alleviate overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons.
“Our prisons are severely congested, especially with individuals on remand. Some have been waiting for trial for four, five, even more than six years. This is often due to funding challenges, lack of legal representation, or simply the backlog of cases in the courts. This amnesty is a meaningful step toward decongesting our prisons.”
Under the presidential amnesty, a total of 787 first-time offenders will be released. Additionally, 87 inmates on death row will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while 51 prisoners currently serving life sentences will see their terms reduced to a fixed 20-year sentence.
By Beatrice Sowah
