Deputy Superintendent of Prison in charge of Advocacy, Communication and Gender Focal Person at Kumasi Central Prison, Rose Ampofowah Tweneboa Kodua, made the appeal during the “Inmates Love Rekindle” event.

The annual event is to revive connections between inmates and their loved ones and strengthen family bonds that may have weakened as they navigate their prison journey.

It is organized by the Gender Unit and the Inmates’ Welfare Department of the Kumasi Central Prison in February as the month of love.

“Every month of love, we bring inmates and their families and friends together to share moments. It’s a chance for families to reconnect, show support, and let the inmates know they’re still valued and loved despite their circumstances,” explained DSP Tweneboa Kodua.

In an interview with Adom News, she raised concern that many families tend to abandon their members once they are incarcerated.

She believes this abandonment is counterproductive, as the primary goal of the prison system is rehabilitation, aiming to help inmates reform and reintegrate into society after release.

“We’ve observed that many inmates are abandoned by their families, with no one checking up on them. This lack of family connection can negatively impact their mental health and reduce their likelihood of successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society when they’re released from prison.

“So the Inmates Love Rekindle event is part of the Ghana Prison Service’s Think Prison 360 Degrees Initiative, aiming to mend relationships between inmates and their families,” said DSP Tweneboa Kodua.

She urges family members to use this year’s month of love to visit their relatives who are incarcerated.

“Visit them, forgive, and help them feel valued again, it can make all the difference in their rehabilitation journey,” she admonished.

Pupils of Yonso Project Model School at Jamasi in the Sekyere South District of the Ashanti Region joined in the occasion with a donation of drinks, soaps, toilet rolls, and chocolates as part of their Red Day initiative.

Founder and Executive Director of Yonso Project Model School, Kwabena Danso, made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians to change their perspective on inmates, emphasizing that not everyone in prison is a hardened criminal.

He explained that many have undergone rehabilitation and are genuinely remorseful for their actions, and as such, they deserve a second chance and forgiveness from their families and friends.

He encouraged loved ones to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, rather than shunning them.

Mr. Kwabena Danso noted that the schoolchildren’s donation was a valuable lesson in caring for the needy and contributing to society’s well-being.

ALSO READ:

• Two women arrested for attempting to smuggle ‘wee shito’ into prison

• Prisons Officers petition over unpaid rent allowance arrears

During visits to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Ghana Prisons Service, the Chief Justice highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between institutions to tackle galamsey and other cross-border crimes.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the Chinese have virtually invaded galamsey areas. In some places, they are selling supplies to operators and buying the gold. Anyone who enters this country should have a valid work permit. Unless we are talking about smuggling, these individuals are supposed to be known to our authorities,” he stated.

The Chief Justice also announced plans to roll out special courts from Monday, aimed at fast-tracking cases and alleviating congestion in the justice system.

“We are setting up a shift court system — morning and afternoon sessions — and special courts will handle cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cross-border offences. This will not be a single-institution effort,” he explained.

In response, Comptroller General of the GIS, Samuel Basintale Amadu, urged the Chief Justice to review penalties for illegal mining, noting that fines are currently insufficient to deter offenders.

“Galamsey is no longer just a Chinese issue; West African nationals are also heavily involved, often with the support of some Ghanaians. Existing fines are minimal and not a deterrent. We hope penalties can be made more punitive,” he said.

The Chief Justice’s tour also included discussions at the Ghana Prisons Service headquarters on improving collaboration between the Judicial Service and the Prisons Service to reduce overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities.

In an interview with Adom News, he explained that a dedicated committee made up of medical professionals and prison officials carefully evaluates inmates before granting amnesty.

The assessment is based on key criteria, including health status, behavior during incarceration, and the nature of the offense committed.

“The medical team focuses on the health conditions of inmates, while prison officials review their conduct and rehabilitation progress,” Chief Supt. Latif noted.

He emphasized that the program is designed to offer relief to deserving inmates who have shown genuine reform, while also helping to ease prison overcrowding.

According to him, the ultimate goal of the amnesty initiative is to encourage rehabilitation, reduce repeat offenses, and support the smooth reintegration of offenders into society.

Source: Prince Owusu

ALSO READ:

• Police retrieve 43 stolen luxurious cars shipped to Ghana

• How US customs intercepted a shipment of stolen cars from Virginia to Ghana

As part of the discussions, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang assured the delegation, led by the Director-General, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, of the government’s commitment to improving conditions within the Service.

“As a responsible nation, we must ensure dignified conditions for inmates, offer meaningful reforms, and provide the necessary support for their reintegration into society,” she said.

The Vice President also spoke about the need for strong public education and encouraged collaboration with other state agencies and the media.

She commended the Service for its interventions, particularly its promising campaign in agriculture.

Source: Isabella Gidiglo

ALSO READ:

• President Mahama grants amnesty to 998 prisoners

• Armwrestling: Immigration and Prisons meet African Champions

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior and National Security, stated that a similar agreement will be signed to allow the Ghana Prison Service to procure and produce 20 per cent of sanitary pads under the free sanitary pad initiative.

“And this we are doing to ensure that our formative programmes within the prisons are completely transformed from the current state, which I call warehousing prisoners — keeping them idle with not much to do,” he said.

Alhaji Muntaka made these remarks during his Mid-Year Review Report for the Ministry of the Interior, presented at a press conference at the Presidency in Accra.

The press conference, organized by the Presidential Communications Bureau under the “Governance Accountability Series,” is part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability in governance.

The Minister revealed that the Ghana Prison Service had rolled out a juvenile and secondary education initiative to support education continuity for juveniles and inmates.

He also announced that the Damongo Correctional Facility had been completed, expanding correctional space and helping to reduce overcrowding.

“I want to take this opportunity once again to thank the Church of Pentecost for the great job they are doing in supporting the Ghana Prison Service,” Alhaji Muntaka said.

He noted that five camp prisons were at various stages of completion, and the recently completed Damongo facility made it the fifth.

“If a church can support the Ghana Prison Service this much, I want to encourage all of us — citizens, individuals, businesses, and corporate organizations — to come to the aid of the security services, especially the prisons, which face huge challenges in managing over 14,000 inmates, including foreigners,” he appealed.

“As you may be aware, the feeding allocation for inmates is GH₵1.80, which is woefully inadequate.”

To address this, the Ministry is focusing on agriculture to improve inmate feeding. The Minister said funding had been secured for a 5,000-layer poultry project, in addition to cultivating about 1,654 acres of crops. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the provision of equipment and inputs.

Alhaji Muntaka further noted that the Ghana Prison Service had begun drafting a 24-Hour Economic Proposal, aimed at aligning prison operations with national productivity goals.

He said the Service had also launched a digital literacy programme under the One Million Quotas Initiative, equipping inmates, officers, and their dependents with digital skills.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Youth Employment Agency, the Ministry had begun recruiting support staff to augment the Ghana Prison Service’s human resource capacity for non-custodial duties.

The Minister stated that, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ministry had removed and repatriated over 2,241 street beggars to their countries of origin.

This exercise, he said, had restored public order in urban centres while providing humane support for vulnerable populations.

“We are mapping a strategy to eliminate all these challenges on our streets, not only in Accra but across cities in the country,” he added.

Furthermore, he announced a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Youth Development to support security agency internships, enhancing youth employability while boosting agency operations.

The interns, he said, would be deployed across the police, prisons, and fire services, with the first batch commencing training on July 16.

Touching on the Ghana Police Service, the Minister said a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat had been established at the Police Headquarters in Accra to provide round-the-clock security for businesses under the government’s flagship programme.

He explained that this was to ensure the safe movement of goods and people and to foster economic growth without fear of attack.

The Ghana Police Service, he added, had also conducted intelligence-led anti-robbery operations across all regions, achieving breakthroughs in major cases, including the murders of mobile money vendors in Kumasi, Koforidua, and Aflao.

Source: GNA

ALSO READ:

• Nine prison inmates receive scholarships to Jackson University College

• 11 inmates of Manhyia Local Prison trained in batik, tie and dye craftsmanship

The surgeries, which were conducted at the Nsawam Prison Hospital, included 32 hernia repairs, 14 lipomata, seven hydroceles, two fibroadenomas, three bullet pallets removals and five cystic body swellings.

It was facilitated in collaboration with the Chosen Hospital and the True Vine Charismatic Church International.

The 63 inmates, including females diagnosed with various surgical conditions were selected from the Ankaful Maximum Prison, Nsawam Female Prison, Osamkrom Camp Prison, Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Nsawam Camp Prison, James Camp Prison, Akuse and the Winneba Local Prison.

Surgeons

A team of qualified medical professionals comprised of five consultant surgeons, two licensed senior medical officers, three anesthetists and 20 allied health professionals embarked on the free surgical outreach at the Nsawam Prison Hospital, which is fully equipped with standard surgical machines.

“Access to adequate health care is a fundamental right, and this intervention ensures that inmates receive timely and quality medical care,” the Medical Superintendent at the Prison Hospital, Supt Dr L.K. Acheampong, stated.

Intervention

The intervention, according to the Prisons Service, was part of a broader reform effort to improve prison conditions and uphold the health and well-being of inmates.

Patients were given a standard aseptic care, ensuring all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols without compromise.

All the inmates are currently on admission to the Nsawam Prison Hospital ward, where they are receiving post-operative care.

ALSO READ:

• Not all prisoners are guilty – MP says as she rallies support for them

• Four prisoners who passed 2023 WASSCE gain university admission

The inmate was at the Nsawam Prison and was serving a one-year jail term.

He allegedly feigned sickness to the extent that he needed to be taken to the hospital outside the prison walls but he escaped from the hands of the prison officers who escorted him.

In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Abdul Latif Adamu, said efforts are underway to re-arrest the culprit.

Mr Adamu noted they have gathered some leads to help re-arrest the inmate, adding the incident is currently under investigation.

“We have gotten a lot of leads that are proving to be successful in what we are doing,” he stated.

ALSO READ:

• Chinese inmate at Nsawam escapes while receiving treatment at Korle Bu Hospital

• Go and sin no more – AMLAG rescues six inmates at Navrongo prisons

Among them are: Dr. Francis Omane-Addo, who previously served as the Director of Prisons in charge of Technical, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, formerly the Director of Prisons in charge of Services, Mr. Robin Asamoah Fenning, previously the Central Regional Commander and Officer in Charge of the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison, and Mr. Simon Yao Adzah, who held the position of Officer in Charge of the Tarkwa Local Prison.

A press statement released on Thursday, February 8, by the Service and signed by Superintendent of Prisons, Adamu Abdul Latif, Chief Public Relations Officer, indicated that, the appointments were made in accordance with Article 207 of the 1992 Constitution and on the advice of the Prisons Service Council.

The statement added that, the appointments became effective on February 1, 2024.

The statement extended congratulations to the newly appointed officers and urged them to work diligently to fulfill the mandate of the Service.

Below is the full statement

ALSO READ:

Why Bawumia’s address was a rally for Mahama – Asiedu Nketia

Former NSS Director’s reaction to Bawumia’s proposal

Keta, Anloga districts record unprecedented crab and shrimp harvest

Four of them have been promoted from the rank of Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) to Director of Prisons (DOP).

They are Samuel Kwame Owusu-Amponsah, formerly the Eastern Regional Commander, Benedict Bob Dery, formerly the Bono Regional Commander, Gloria Essandoh, until this promotion the Chief Legal Officer and Mrs Joana Fofo Tackie-Otoo, who until now was the Greater Accra Regional Commander and Commandant of the Prison Officers Training School.

The promotion by the President was upon the advice of the Prisons Service Council, pursuant to Article 207(3) of the 1992 Constitution.

PHOTO: DOP Gloria Essandoh

A press statement dated August 31, 2022, signed and issued by Chief Public Relations Officer of the Prisons Service, Chief Superintendent of Prisons, Courage Atsem named those promoted from Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) to Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) as Brandford Gilbert Hama, Daniel Boi-Tawiah Abbey, William Kular, Emmaniel Aidoo, David Ofosu-Addo, Millicent Owusu, Francis Selorm Hagbe and Paul Teye Ademan.

Others are Edmund Ahia Armah, Nathaniel N. Agyeman Onyinah, Thompson Otyokpo, Eric Ainoo Ansah, Edward Ashun, Joseph Asabre, Issaku Yahaya, Alfred M. Cudjoe, Augustine Ohene-Tutu, Samuel Fiifi Dontoh, Christian Asiedu and Christopher Hayibor.

PHOTO: DOP Joana Fofo Tackie-Otoo

He retired from active service at the age of 60.

Nana Dr. Kofi Antwi is also the Asante-Akyem Odumasehene and the Nifahene (right wing) of the Juaben Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region.

The first phase of the pull-out ceremony was held at the Asawasi Methodist Church where Pastor Newman Osafo Adu Amankwa, the Kokofu District Pastor of the SDA Church, delivered the sermon.

Later, Nana Dr Kofi Antwi inspected a guard of honour at the Manhyia Prisons and sat in an open car where prison officers lined up at the sides and he was pulled out through the principal street of Manhyia.

His position as Manhyia local head has been taken by ADP Joseph Asabere, a former Second In-Command at the Koforidua Local Prisons.

Present at the ceremony were the Director-General of Prisons, Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir, a former Director-General of Prisons, Mr Patrick Darko Missah, Chaplain and many other senior officers in the Prisons Service.

Nana Owusu Yentumi Akyempim, Gyaasehene of Juaben represented Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Omanhene of the Juaben Traditional Area as the Special Guest of Honour.

Also present was Nana Asafoakaa Agyei Tabi, the Juasohene who chaired the programme and Asante -Akyem Odumase Chiefs and Elders led by the Krontihene, Nana Asiedu Kotwi.

In a citation, the Ghana Prisons Service commended Nana Dr Kofi Antwi for his immense contributions to the development and growth of the service which he described as very remarkable.

“This has been possible due to your dedication and devotion to the vision and mission of the service,” the citation stated.

The Juasohene, Nana Asafoakaa Agyei Tabi commended Nana Dr Kofi Antwi for the good work done.

Nana Kofi Antwi was installed Asante-Akyem Odumasihene on October 2, 2006. He succeeded his late uncle, Nana Kofi Akoi who reigned for 50 years.

Educational background

He had his elementary education at Breman-Brakwa and Atwima-Techiman from 1969 /1978 respectively.

He continued his secondary education at Atwimaman Secondary School now Afia Kobi Senior High School at Atwima Trabuom.

He continued his Sixth Form Secondary education at the Wenchi Secondary School from 1986-1988.

When completed the Sixth Form he taught at Atwima-Gyekye Methodist JSS where he taught Mathematics and Technical Skills.

He gained admission to pursue Bachelor of Education in Psychology and Diploma in Economics in 1990-1994.

After five years in secular employment, he had the opportunity to pursue MPhil in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Cape Coast.

He pursued further studies at the University of Cape Coast distance education programme where he pursued Post-Graduate Diploma in Organisation Development from 2010 to 2014.

With keen interest in reaching the pinnacle, Nana Kofi Antwi II passed a competitive interview at the now Akenten Appiah-Minkah University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development in Kumasi to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership.

The overcrowding of inmates in Ghana’s prisons has put so much pressure on its facilities leading to their worn-out.

A major challenge, which the donation is meant to solve, is bridging the accommodation gap where most inmates have to sleep on bare floor because of lack of space and mattresses. It is also to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 in the Prisons.

Presenting the mattresses to the Prisons Service, the Executive Director of CCF, Mr Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng said the welfare of inmates should not be ignored, especially in this COVID-19 period.

He said for the Prisons Service to effectively execute its mandate, it must be adequately equipped. He urged other individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture.

“We thought it prudent to talk to donors of our Foundation to quickly come to the aid of the Ghana Prisons Service. We have brought 100 pieces of mattresses to help our brothers and sisters in prisons, especially at this crucial time of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We know that for the Prisons Service to carry-out its mandate of reformation and rehabilitation it is the responsibility of all Ghanaians to come to the aid of the Service. We hope that other well-meaning Ghanaians will also follow suit,” he said.

Mr Oppong Kwarteng, who also doubles as the Ambassador Extraordinaire of Ghana Prisons, appealed for support for the Prisons Service: “We would want to use this opportunity to appeal to Ghanaians all over the globe to help support the Ghana Prisons.

“They need sanitisers and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This is not the time we should not turn our back to them but rather fulfill godly responsibility which is enshrined in both the Bible and Quran on the need to go TO the aid of prisoners.”

Mr Kwarteng assured the Service that the Foundation would continue to support the Prisons.

 Receiving the mattresses on behalf of the Ghana Prisons Service, the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, DOP Leopord Kwame Amoah Ansah thanked CCF for its relentless support towards the work of the Service.

“You have been with us and you know the inside out of our facilities. So we are grateful that you are responding to our request to assist us. Certainly you know the overcrowding situation in our facilities,” he said.

DOP Ansah said the donation is timely as it will help improve the well-being of inmates during this COVID-19 pandemic. He appealed to corporate bodies to assist the Service to improve its service delivery and also called on the government to increase the feeding fee of inmates.

“I add my voice to corporate Ghana and indeed organisations which are interested in corrections to come on board and assist us. In addition to the PPE’s we need nutritious meal for our inmates.

“The few medical infirmaries we have we also need support to renovate and refurbish them and we appeal to government to push forward our request for increase in the feeding rate of inmates,” he said.

CCF has been instrumental in facilitating the execution of the reformation and rehabilitation mandate of the Ghana Prisons Service through its support programmes that seek to improve the welfare of prison inmates.

The Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons Service, Samuel Owusu Amponsah, has said the issues of congestion in the facility, coupled with inadequate feeding funds is taking a toll on the health of the inmates in the country.

The Commander disclosed this when members of the Action Chapel donated 200 bags of rice to the Kumasi Central and Amanfrom Prions on New Year’s Day under the “Compassion in Action” Project initiated by founder, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams.

ALSO READ

• Video: Boy, 7, accidentally swallows AirPod Christmas gift

• Counselor condemns men who marry ‘born ones’; says it’s mistake and burden

“Although the government is doing its best, the money is not enough so we are asking that government increases the feeding fee to 5.00. The quality of food is not good because the money is woefully inadequate,” he lamented.

Mr Owusu Amponsah, who doubles as Deputy Director of Prisons, acknowledged that but for the support from individuals and corporate Ghana, the situation would have been worse.

He expressed his gratitude to the group for their charitable act, adding “Your gifts will really help us.”

Head Pastor of Action Chapel International in Northern Ghana, Bishop James Nana Ofori Attah, in response revealed to add value to ex-convicts, the church has established a skills training and rehabilitation centre for prisoners near Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

The Action Chapel through the “Compassion in Action” project has, for the past five years, supported and given hope to prisoners across Ghana.