Presidency denies granting pardons

The Office of the President has denied circulating reports that suggest President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted a presidential pardon to certain individuals.

In an official statement issued by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications, the Presidency categorically refuted the claims, noting that no pardons had been issued and urging the public to rely on official communication for accurate information.

The denial comes amid rumors, fueled by a purported letter from the Presidency, alleging that the President had exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy to pardon several convicts, including Ato Essien, the former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Capital Bank.

Essien’s case is emblematic of Ghana’s financial sector challenges. He was convicted for misappropriating GH¢620 million in liquidity support provided by the Bank of Ghana, contributing to the collapse of Capital Bank during the financial sector cleanup between 2017 and 2019. In October 2023, Essien received a 15-year prison sentence after failing to honor a restitution agreement that required him to repay GH¢90 million to the state.

The restitution deal was designed to avert incarceration, but Essien’s partial compliance, despite repeated extensions, left the state with no alternative but to enforce the court’s ruling.

Read the statement below: