The Public Relations Officer for Ghans Prisons Service (GPS), Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Abdul Latif Adamu, has endorsed calls by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for the establishment of a dedicated, ultra-modern prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visitation as part of comprehensive reforms to Ghana’s prison system.
According to CSP Adamu, despite all security agencies working closely with the Ghana Prisons Service, it remains the only security institution in the country without a dedicated health facility, despite officers and inmates maintaining closer contact with individuals than any other agency.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio, CSP Adamu stated that the current administration of the Ghana Prisons Service has already launched several initiatives directly addressing inmate welfare, noting that these interventions are yielding positive results.
He expressed appreciation for the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, who is currently an inmate at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, for highlighting the challenges facing the institution, expressing optimism that the government will address these concerns.
“The call by Chairman Wontumi is a good call and we commend him for that. Out of all the security agencies with inmates, we are the only ones without any medical facilities. It is not the best that as an agency that holds prisoners, we do not have any health facilities. The Military and Police all have hospitals, but the Prisons Service that manages these prisoners unfortunately does not have any hospital,” he said.
“Wontumi spoke the truth. However, before his remarks, our boss had initiated measures that can enhance the welfare of inmates and officers, and one of the agendas is to have a hospital. We therefore want to appeal to the government to take steps in achieving that. Our Director-General is also doing her best to see to it that the Service establishes the hospital,” CSP Adamu added.
Addressing the proposal for conjugal visitation, the Prisons PRO noted that the initiative is achievable, but emphasised that it would require appropriate policy guidelines, legislative backing, and dedicated infrastructure to support implementation.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
