72-Year-Old Man Freed After 51 Years Behind Bars Shares His Prison Journey

Strategic Insights -

After spending 51 years in prison for murder, Ola Amigo, now 72 years old, recounts his harrowing journey in an interview with a representative of the Prisons Public Relations Unit. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment, Ola was later granted a presidential pardon by President John Dramani Mahama as part of a larger initiative to decongest prisons and give reformed inmates a second chance at life. Ola's story is one of regret, redemption, and a desire to live a peaceful life dedicated to God. He was one of 998 inmates granted amnesty as part of President Mahama's presidential pardon initiative.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ola Amigo spent 51 years behind bars for murder, serving a total of 21 years at Nsawam Prison and 30 years at Kumasi Central Prison.
  • Ola was initially sentenced to life imprisonment but was later granted a presidential pardon by President John Dramani Mahama as part of a presidential amnesty initiative.
  • The presidential amnesty initiative aimed to decongest prisons and give reformed inmates a second chance at life, with 998 inmates being granted amnesty.
  • Ola's crime occurred during a brawl involving a fatal stabbing, where he hit the man to death in self-defense.
  • Ola expressed his desire to live a peaceful life dedicated to God, stating "I want to thank the President, and now that I am old, I can do the will of God."
  • Ola's story highlights the need for rehabilitation and second chances for reformed inmates, with the presidential pardon initiative serving as a positive step towards prisoner rehabilitation.

Statistics:

  • 51 years: the total number of years Ola Amigo spent behind bars for murder.
  • 998: the number of inmates granted amnesty as part of President John Dramani Mahama's presidential amnesty initiative.
  • 21 years: the number of years Ola served at Nsawam Prison.
  • 30 years: the number of years Ola served at Kumasi Central Prison.
  • 1: the number of presidential pardon initiative aimed to decongest prisons and give reformed inmates a second chance at life.

Sources:

  • "72-year old inmate at the Kumasi Central Prisons pardoned as part of President John Dramani Mahama's presidential amnesty recounts his experience in prison."

(Ghana Web, 04 September 2025)