At a time that President Mahama is receiving lots of flaks for making last minute appointments and carrying out his constitutional right, his counterpart in America is being lauded for excising his prerogative powers. Outgoing US President Barack Obama has made history by granting clemency to 231 prisoners in just a single day, the first of its kind by an American President.
The report says Obama has commuted the sentences of 1,176 individuals and has approved pardons for 148 people. Mr Neil Eggleston explains on White House’s website thus, “those granted clemency demonstrated a willingness to make use-or have already made use-of a second chance. For the pardon recipient, it is the story of an individual who has led a productive and law-abiding life, including contributing to the community in a meaningful way.”
“For the commutation recipient, it is the story of an individual who has made the most of his or her time in prison, by participating in educational courses, vocational training and drug treatment. These are stories that demonstrate the success that can be achieved-by both individuals and society-in a nation of second chances,” Eggleston explains.
It will be recalled that Mahama, after being defeated in the general election continues to make appointments notably the appointments of Joseph Whital as head of Commission on Human Rights And Administrative Justice CHRAJ, which has drawn criticism from the incoming NPP administration.
Seasoned journalist Kwaku Baako has said he sees absolutely nothing wrong with it so far as it can be subjected review when they finally come to power.
