Thirteen first-offender inmates have been officially discharged from the Wa Central Prison after benefiting from the 2026 presidential amnesty granted by President John Dramani Mahama.
The release ceremony, held on October 23, 2026, marked the discharge and reintegration of these individuals back into society.
Upper West Regional Prisons Commander DDP Alhaji Ousmane Tasembedo revealed that 18 names were initially submitted to the prison headquarters for amnesty consideration.
Out of this number, 13 were approved by the President in conformity with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
However, only three inmates were discharged at the ceremony, as the remaining 10 had already gone home through the standard one-third sentence discharge process before the amnesty reached them due to bureaucratic processes.
The regional commander emphasised that the amnesty represents an opportunity for transformation and a fresh beginning rather than merely a release from custody.
He noted that the Wa Central Prisons has successfully reformed and rehabilitated 34 inmates since 2024. Among the 13 approved amnesty beneficiaries, two acquired vocational skills in smock sewing and tailoring.
He assured them that the service would provide them with start-up materials to begin their new lives.
Assembly Member for Jonga and Wa Municipal Justice and Security Chairman Daubile Alhassan Ibrahim, representing the Municipal Chief Executive, cautioned the beneficiaries to conduct themselves properly as they reintegrate into society.
He clarified that the amnesty does not provide immunity from future prosecution.
“It doesn’t mean that when you are granted this amnesty today and you go out there and commit any offense the law will not say oh some time ago the president was granted you amnesty to go home and rest,” he warned.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, 39-year-old Yakubu Anas expressed deep appreciation to the President for the unique opportunity.
Anas also extended gratitude to the regional command for the vocational training received during their incarceration, promising to put the acquired skills to good use and maintain good behaviour.
Nuokpem Richard, speaking for the families of the beneficiaries, thanked the government and prison officials for the training provided to the inmates.
“We are praying that they should go and continue and then achieve their aim at the end of the day they should be somebody in the near future,” he stated.