The Chief Executive Officer of POS Foundation, Jonathan Osei Owusu, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for granting a presidential pardon to 863 convicted persons, describing it as a timely step to decongest Ghana's prisons.
President Mahama exercised the Prerogative of Mercy under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, in consultation with the Council of State, as announced by the Presidency on October 5, 2026.
Reacting to the announcement, Mr. Osei Owusu, a human rights advocate, said the President's decision deserves commendation and gives the beneficiaries an opportunity to reform and rebuild their lives.
He said the exercise of mercy has become crucial due to the severe overcrowding in the country's correctional facilities.
Citing the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, he noted that the facility which has an authorized capacity of about 850 inmates is currently holding close to 3,300 prisoners, a situation he said puts enormous pressure on prison officers and makes effective inmate management difficult.
Mr. Osei Owusu also welcomed moves to introduce community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for certain minor offences, saying it could help reduce congestion and prevent minor offenders from being exposed to hardened criminals.
He expressed hope that the community service regime would be effectively implemented and that future pardon exercises would continue to consider eligible first-time offenders.
According to him, giving offenders a second chance does not amount to condoning crime, as some of them may have learnt valuable lessons and deserve the opportunity to show positive change.
The POS Foundation boss therefore appealed to the public to receive the beneficiaries with compassion and support their reintegration into society, rather than stigmatizing them because of their past records.
He stressed that the success of the pardon will depend largely on the willingness of families, communities and stakeholders to support the ex-convicts as they return to society.
Mr. Osei Owusu further reminded Ghanaians that anyone could find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system, and that the country must balance accountability with rehabilitation and reintegration.