MPs urge presidential pardon for death row inmates at Nsawam Prison

The Parliamentary Human Rights Committee visited the condemned block of Nsawam Medium Security Prison. This visit has renewed calls for presidential clemency. It highlighted urgent issues within Ghana’s penal system.

During their visit, MPs saw many inmates on death row. The 173 inmates knelt and pleaded for mercy. Their visible remorse moved the delegation deeply. This sparked calls for immediate executive intervention.

DDP Patrick Thomas Seidu, the Regional Commander, shared challenges faced by the prison service. He specifically addressed issues in the condemned block. He appealed to the committee to help reduce overcrowding in the facility. The prison was built for 717 inmates but now holds over 3,005—more than four times its capacity.

Francis-Xavier Sosu, a human rights lawyer and MP for Madina, made an appeal to President John Dramani Mahama. He urged him to use his power of mercy and grant amnesty to some death row inmates. Sosu noted that recent legal reforms allow new murder convicts to receive life sentences instead of death penalties.

Many individuals sentenced under the old regime have been on death row for 10 to 15 years or more. Sosu described this situation as a grave injustice. Under the previous system, death sentences could be changed to life imprisonment after 10 years.

He explained that after another 10 years, inmates could be eligible for definite terms capped at 25 years. “Continuing with this practice creates unfair disparities,” he stated. He called on the President to commute sentences from death to life or definite terms like 25 years for those already serving long periods on death row.

The Human Rights Committee plans to submit a formal petition soon. They will address both the Attorney General and the President regarding this matter. Their goal is swift consideration of these issues.

They emphasized that justice should be served in a humane manner while respecting constitutional rights. This advocacy is part of broader efforts to improve prison conditions and uphold inmate dignity.

The committee aims to ensure compliance with Ghana’s laws and international human rights obligations. By focusing on these elements, they hope to protect incarcerated individuals' rights and foster a compassionate penal system based on dignity and accountability.