Agradaa not eligible for presidential amnesty – Prisons Service clarifies

The Ghana Prisons Service has dismissed speculation that Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa or Evangelist Mama Pat, may benefit from the recent presidential amnesty granted to nearly 1,000 inmates.

Chief Superintendent Abdul Latif, Public Relations Officer of the Service, explained that Agradaa is ineligible because she has not served half of her 15-year prison term — a mandatory condition for consideration under the amnesty scheme.

He stressed that, while her conviction is a first-degree felony, completion of a substantial portion of the sentence, along with demonstrated good behaviour, are essential requirements. Agradaa’s current status therefore excludes her from the list of beneficiaries.

President John Dramani Mahama recently granted amnesty to 998 prisoners, following advice from the Prisons Service Council and consultation with the Council of State, in line with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

Out of 1,014 inmates initially considered, some were excluded after further scrutiny. The final beneficiaries fell under several categories:

First-time offenders: 787

Death sentences commuted to life imprisonment: 87

Life sentences reduced to 20 years definite term: 51

Seriously ill prisoners: 33

Inmates over 70 years old: 36

Nursing mothers: 2

Special petitions: 2

About Agradaa

Agradaa, a former fetish priestess turned evangelist, was sentenced by the Accra Circuit Court on July 3, 2025, after being found guilty of charlatanic advertisement and obtaining money by false pretenses.

Her conviction stemmed from a 2022 broadcast in which she deceived followers with claims of supernatural money-doubling powers, luring them into handing over large sums. The promised returns never materialised. She is currently appealing the sentence.

The Prisons Service reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and due process in determining eligibility, insisting that the scheme is applied strictly in accordance with the law.