The Executive Director of the Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Mr. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, has criticized government’s decision to increase the daily feeding allowance for inmates from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5.00, describing it as grossly inadequate and disappointing.
Speaking on National Agenda on Denkyirama Radio, Mr. Kwarteng said the increment fails to reflect the realities of the current economy, high inflation, and the deplorable living conditions in Ghana’s prisons.
According to him, a fair allocation should have been at least GH¢20 per inmate per day to ensure decent nutrition and proper care.
“The feeding budget for inmates is not only inadequate but also a violation of their basic human rights. How do you expect anyone to survive on GH¢5 in today’s economy?” he queried.
Mr. Kwarteng urged government to channel resources into prison agriculture by equipping facilities with tractors and harvesters. This, he explained, would enable prisons to cultivate their own food while providing inmates with practical skills to support their reintegration into society.
He further appealed for the introduction of non-custodial sentencing for minor offences to reduce overcrowding, which remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the country’s correctional facilities.
“It is important for us as a nation to prioritize prisoners’ welfare. They may have offended the law, but they are still human beings who deserve dignity and care,” he emphasized.
Mr. Kwarteng concluded that without holistic reforms, the welfare of prisoners will remain compromised, undermining Ghana’s commitment to human rights and effective rehabilitation.
