Just two days after the National Delegates Conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has granted pardon to 863 convicted prisoners as part of activities commemorating Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary.
On Monday, October 5, the president exercised the prerogative of mercy in accordance with article 72(1) of the 1992 constitution following extensive consultations with the Council of State.
presidential spokesperson and minister for Government Communications, Honorable Felix Kwakye says the pardon by the president is intended to mark the anniversary with an act of mercy of sober reflection, directing all state institutions to immediately give effect to the presidents decision.
With Chairman Wontumi being a first time offender, many Npp supporters and party loyalists were hopeful he was going to be listed among the 819 first time offenders granted outright release by the president.
thirteen convicted persons aged 70 and above have also been granted outright release by the president, commuting six others on life imprisonment to a 20 year jail term, while 11 persons on death row have been commuted to life imprisonment. The president also directed the release of 6 seriously ill persons, 3 beneficiaries of petitions and three others for other reasons.
Former Ashanti regional chairman of the Npp, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi was convicted to a 20 year jail term by the Accra High Court (criminal division 4) presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie Tay after being found guilty of multiple charges brought against him by the state.
Prior to his incarceration, the former Ashanti regional had declared his intention to contest for the National chairmanship position of the party which is now being held by Mr John Boadu who shrugged of competion from Boakye Agyarko and Paul Afoko in the delegate elections held on saturday, October 3rd at the Baba Yara sports stadium in Kumasi.
