The jailed former Youth and Sports Minister, Mallam Yusif Issa has been freed by the Presidential Amnesty issued on Friday. Mallam Issa is one of over 2,000 inmates granted amnesty to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of Ghana's Republican status, which falls today. The prisoners were freed on the basis of exemplary conduct, compassion or poor health.

Mallam Issa has been sick lately and been receiving medical attention at the Police Hospital. He was tried and jailed four years in 2001 following the loss of 46,000 dollars meant as bonuses for the senior national team, the Black Stars.

Interior Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyeman told JOY FM that Mallam Issa's four year term has been cut short by the President's amnesty. The necessary arrangements are being made by the prison authorities for Mallam Issa and other inmates to be freed.