1,000 Prisoners Granted Amnesty by President

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - Ghana's President Jerry John Rawlings Saturday granted amnesty to some 1,000 prisoners based on recommendations of the Prisons Service and in consultation with the Council of State, interior minister Nii Okaija Adamafio said in a statement.

The amnesty, which is categorised, covers 70 first offenders serving sentences of between 10 and 20 years who have served one- third of their sentences without remission.

They are to have their sentences reduced by half, except those convicted for offences of rape, robbery and narcotics. The statement said 23 first offenders serving sentences of over 20 years and have served at least seven years are to also have their sentences reduced to 10 years.

The amnesty also covers a number of first offenders serving sentences of less than 10 years who have served one-third of their sentences, it said, adding that over 1,000 prisoners in this category are to be released except those convicted for offences of rape, robbery and narcotics.

Former army Capt. Edward Adjei Ampofo and former Sgt. Oduro Frimpong, who were convicted in 1983 and 1985 respectively and sentenced to death for subversion, are also to be released from prisons custody, according to the statement.

The two benefited from a previous amnesty in 1997 when the death sentence passed on them was commuted to life imprisonment. They have each served over 16 years in prison.

Rawlings has also directed a further review of cases of senior military and non-commissioned officers some of whom have remained in exile over several years, it added.

It said Rawlings has convened a special medical board to diagnose 156 prisoners identified as being seriously ill or aged to make recommendations for consideration.