Private legal practitioner Kofi Bekai has stated that the President has the power, as enshrined in the constitution, to grant presidential pardons to any category of prisoners, regardless of the number of years or days they have spent in prison.

He explained that the Constitution of Ghana grants the President the authority to exercise such powers.

However, granting such pardons, the lawyer posited, must be done judiciously. When you read Article 72, the President has that authority enshrined in the constitution to grant pardons. That is the prerogative of mercy.

He may grant the pardon for different reasons, including on health grounds, among other reasons.

Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said granting presidential pardons can help in decongesting our prisons.

Kofi Bekai called for caution in the process of granting pardons, so the process is not abused, despite the authority the President wields in doing so.

When asked specifically if those granted pardon in having their life sentences commuted to twenty years could have another pardon granted for them to be released, he said, “That would depend on the President.

"Remember the Montie 3 and how they were granted a presidential pardon. Granting the pardon goes through a process, and so there could be someone who was once serving a life sentence who gets his or her sentence reduced to 20 and benefits from another pardon in being released another time.

"That authority resides in the hands of the President.” He stressed, “The President has the prerogative of mercy; however, this may favour some politically exposed persons, and so we have to take our time in ensuring that we do not abuse this process for political reasons.”

He stressed, “Granting the presidential pardon is something the President has the authority to do and cannot be questioned by anyone, but it must be exercised judiciously.

"If he is granting pardons, it must not be limited to politically exposed persons but any other person who deserves pardon and has no political connections or affiliations.”