William Ato Essien has received a presidential pardon.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pardoned many offenders under his constitutional prerogative of mercy, as stated in a letter dated December 31, 2024.

This measure emphasized humanitarian principles in the legal system.

The following is a list of pardoned individuals and their circumstances.

1. Akwasi Alhassan.

He was found guilty of murder and condemned to death on March 19, 1993. Alhassan has served 31 years in prison. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment by presidential authority.

2) Beatrice Ofori

On June 6, 2023, the 64-year-old was convicted of human trafficking and sentenced to eight years of hard labor. He suffers from high hypertension, which has caused substantial mobility issues. She has spent the most of her sentence in the jail infirmary.

3. Francis Obeng

He was sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter. Obeng is now completing his sentence at Nsawam Prison. His sentence was reduced to 12 years after the presidential pardon.

4) Stephen Nyarko

Nyarko was convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010 and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He has served 22 years of the term, including time spent on remand. His pardon acknowledges the time already served.

5. Osman Inusah.

Inusah was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery but found not guilty of armed robbery. He has mental health issues, and his release is designed to enable for adequate care and management at home.

6. Joseph Nana Kwaku Boateng.

Boateng was convicted of attempted export and possession of narcotic substances on May 28, 2019, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He has served eight years, five of which have been spent on remand. His pardon recognizes his significant time served.

7. Emmanuel Adu Mensah.

Adu Mensah was serving a 15-year sentence at Nsawam Prison after being convicted of cocaine possession in April 2024. His release acknowledges his circumstances and prospects for reform.

Essien, former CEO of the defunct Capital Bank, was convicted in October 2023 to 15 years' jail for financial offenses, including the misappropriation of GH¢620 million in liquidity support from Bank of Ghana.

Essien failed to comply with his agreement to return GH¢90 million in restitution and avoid jail.

His pardon recognizes the complexities of his case and the bigger repercussions for the financial sector.

9. Kwabena Twum Ampofo.

He was convicted of having narcotics and sentenced to ten years in jail in April 2024. He is currently completing his prison sentence at Nsawam.

10. Alexander Nii Lante Lawson

He was convicted of theft and sentenced to five years in jail, with hard work. After three years in prison, his health has deteriorated.

11. Philip Akpeena Assibit.

In 2018, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing financial loss to the state as part of his participation in the National Youth Empowerment Programme.

He has served six years in prison and is currently ailing, having petitioned for parole owing to his illness.