As part of a larger prison reform initiative, President John Dramani Mahama has revealed plans to assist the Ghana Prisons Service in engaging in large-scale agricultural, poultry, and vegetable production.
This announcement marks a significant increase in the Service’s involvement in national development.
Speaking at the Damongo Prison Camp’s commissioning on Wednesday, October 5, President Mahama stated that the project aims to improve the care and rehabilitation of prisoners while placing the Prisons Service as a major contributor to Ghana’s 24-hour economy.
“The Ghana Prisons Service will actively contribute to the 24-hour economy by running prison industries around the clock. This will include manufacturing, sewing school uniforms, producing furniture, agro-processing, and other goods both for government use and for the open market,” he said.
In order to increase the productivity of prison farms over the next three years, President Mahama also revealed that the government is supplying fertiliser, agricultural machines, and mechanised equipment.
“The Prison Service is being supported to engage in large-scale farming, including poultry and vegetable production. The government is providing fertiliser and mechanised equipment to improve productivity over the next three years. The Service will receive tractors and other implements so that they can activate their prison camps,” he stated.
Additionally, he said that the daily eating stipend for prisoners has been raised from GH₵1.80 to GH₵5.00, characterising the change as a matter of justice and human dignity rather than charity.
“We’ve increased the daily feeding rate for inmates from GH₵1.80 to GH₵5.00. This will provide better nutrition for those incarcerated. This is not charity; it is justice. It reflects our belief that dignity should never be dependent on one’s circumstances,” he said.
President Mahama outlined a comprehensive program for prison reform, stating that his government is dedicated to modernizing Ghana’s penal system, enhancing facilities, and encouraging rehabilitation over punishment.
“Our administration’s prison reform agenda rests on a fundamental belief that no Ghanaian should be stripped of their humanity even when they are in prison,” he stated.
“We are implementing far-reaching reforms which include expanding the use of alternative sentencing for minor and non-violent offences, reviewing bail conditions to avoid undue hardship, especially for the poor, and introducing a parole system to reward good behaviour and accelerate reintegration.”
President Mahama stated that the 800-inmate remand prison at Nsawam, which was started by his former administration in 2016 but has since been shelved, is being completed as part of these changes.
He continued by saying that the government is also creating state-of-the-art correctional facilities for men, women, and adolescents, enhancing the working conditions for prison guards, and growing rehabilitation initiatives connected to long-term jobs and sustainable lifestyles.
credit: Clara Seshie
NKONKONSA.com
