By Ashiadey Dotse
Interior Minister-designate, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has expressed strong disapproval of the inadequate treatment of prisoners in Ghana, describing the current feeding arrangements as “dehumanising”.
During his vetting before Parliament, the Asawase MP revealed his shock upon learning that inmates are fed on just GHC1.80 per day.
He compared this treatment to how even household pets are cared for, emphasising that such a low standard for prisoner welfare is unacceptable.
“How much food do we give to our cats and dogs at home? Yet we treat our own compatriots—people we are trying to reform—like this. It is shocking,” he lamented.
Muntaka argued that the poor conditions in prisons, including inadequate meals, worsen inmates’ rehabilitation prospects.
“We are creating an environment where people come out of prison more hardened rather than reformed,” he noted. He assured the committee that, if approved, he would prioritize improving the welfare of prisoners.
Plans for Prison Reforms
The ministerial nominee outlined several measures to address the challenges in Ghana’s prisons. These include:
Improving Prison Infrastructure: Muntaka proposed constructing separate facilities to house remand prisoners and convicted inmates to decongest prisons and ensure fair treatment for those awaiting trial.
Justice for All Program: He highlighted plans to work with the Attorney General and Chief Justice to expand the “Justice for All” initiative, which facilitates expedited hearings for remand cases.
Focus on Rehabilitation: Muntaka pledged to enhance the prison system’s focus on reform, ensuring that inmates leave better equipped to reintegrate into society.
He urged Ghanaians to support efforts to make prisons more humane, stating, “Prisoners are our compatriots. One mistake should not mean we strip them of their dignity.”
