The government of Ghana has increased the daily feeding allowance for inmates in the Ghana Prisons Service from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5. This announcement was made by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang during the commissioning of Cadet Course Intakes 33, 34, and 35 into the Senior Officer Corps of the Ghana Prisons Service at Adansi Fumso in the Ashanti Region. The increase is part of broader efforts to improve conditions in the country's prisons.
According to Vice President Opoku-Agyemang, improving conditions in prisons must remain a priority. She emphasized that the work of the Prisons Service extends beyond keeping offenders in custody to protecting the public, respecting human dignity, and preparing inmates for reintegration into society. The Vice President highlighted that a prison service must do more than maintain custody, it must also protect the public and give those in its care a genuine opportunity for rehabilitation.
The government has introduced several measures aimed at addressing overcrowding and expanding alternatives to custodial sentences. These include the Community Service Act 2026 and the Prisons Regulations 2026. Under these reforms, eligible offenders may undertake supervised community service or serve portions of their sentences within the community. The successful implementation of these measures will depend on proper training, coordination among justice sector institutions, and adequate resources.
The Vice President also outlined other interventions aimed at improving prison conditions. These include the commissioning of the Damongo Camp Prison, plans to complete the remand facility at Nsawam, and the upgrading of prison infirmaries. Additionally, prison farms and vocational training programs have been introduced to contribute to inmate rehabilitation and welfare. The government has provided tractors, fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural inputs to support prison farming.
Prison officers, their dependents, and inmates have been allocated slots under the One Million Coders Programme to acquire digital skills. This initiative aims to equip them with skills that can be used for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The Vice President warned that the gains made through rehabilitation could be undermined if former inmates faced rejection after completing their sentences.
The Vice President urged families, employers, faith leaders, and communities to give reformed inmates opportunities to rebuild their lives. She emphasized that stigma can undo years of effort and encouraged the newly commissioned officers to uphold the Constitution, professional standards, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The officers were formally commissioned as Assistant Superintendents of Prisons.
The commissioning of Cadet Course Intakes 33, 34, and 35 into the Senior Officer Corps of the Ghana Prisons Service is expected to enhance the operational capacity of the Prisons Service. The Vice President congratulated the officers and emphasized the greater responsibility that comes with their elevation, including the conduct and welfare of officers under their supervision, as well as the safety and dignity of inmates.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has increased the daily feeding allowance for prison inmates from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5.
- The government has introduced reforms aimed at addressing overcrowding and expanding alternatives to custodial sentences.
- The successful implementation of these reforms will depend on proper training, coordination, and adequate resources.
