The Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, has sounded the alarm over what he described as the “deplorable” state of feeding and general welfare conditions in Ghana’s prisons, calling them an affront to human dignity.
Addressing Parliament, the Kumawu MP criticised the current daily feeding rate of GH¢1.80 per inmate, describing it as woefully inadequate and inconsistent with basic human rights.
“Prisoners are entirely dependent on the state for their nutrition and welfare,” Mr Anim stated. “This rate cannot provide even a basic, nutritious meal in today’s economic climate.”
He pointed out that under the Ghana School Feeding Programme, schoolchildren receive GH¢2.00 per day—more than what is allocated to prisoners, who remain in state custody 24/7.
Citing findings from a recent fact-finding mission to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Mr Anim revealed disturbing conditions including overcrowding exceeding 400%, limited access to clean water, and widespread malnutrition.
“Some inmates are serving long sentences without adequate nourishment, relying on charity and family support to survive,” he said.
He called for an urgent review of the feeding rate, the inclusion of a dedicated prison infrastructure budget in the mid-year fiscal review, and broad prison reforms.
“We cannot claim to be a just and democratic nation if we continue to treat the most vulnerable among us in such a manner,” he added.
Source: Ernest Arhinful
