Conjugal Visits, LGBTQ+ and More: Wontumi Proposes 12 Reforms to Ghana’s Prisons

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has proposed a 12-point prison reform plan aimed at improving inmate welfare, strengthening rehabilitation and addressing challenges within Ghana’s correctional facilities.

The proposals, communicated through a statement by his spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, cover healthcare, prison infrastructure, the welfare of officers, family visits, inmate classification and the development of legislation to guide the administration of prisons.

One of the key proposals concerns the introduction of regulated conjugal visits for inmates. Wontumi called for designated private spaces where prisoners could meet their spouses and children under appropriate conditions, arguing that maintaining family relationships should form part of efforts to support rehabilitation.

He also raised the issue of how LGBTQ+ inmates are managed within the prison system, calling for clearer policies to guide their classification and treatment. The proposal brings attention to questions surrounding inmate safety, accommodation and the development of consistent procedures for managing different groups within correctional facilities.

Healthcare is another major component of the proposed reforms. Wontumi called for the establishment of a dedicated prison hospital to improve access to medical services for inmates across the country. As an interim measure, he proposed stronger arrangements with existing institutions, including the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital, to ensure prisoners receive timely treatment when necessary.

He also expressed concern about the spread of infectious diseases in overcrowded facilities, including reports of inmates with tuberculosis being housed alongside prisoners who are not infected. The proposal calls for improved medical arrangements and measures to protect the health of both inmates and prison personnel.

The NPP regional chairman further advocated a review of the salaries, accommodation and general working conditions of prison officers. He argued that improving staff welfare should be considered an important part of efforts to strengthen the correctional system and enable officers to perform their duties effectively.

On inmate management, Wontumi proposed a more structured classification system based on the nature of offences and the security risks associated with individual prisoners. Under such an approach, inmates convicted of minor offences would be separated from those involved in more serious crimes, subject to applicable laws and security requirements.

He also called for expanded counselling and rehabilitation programmes, particularly for young inmates. Such initiatives, he suggested, could help prisoners develop skills and attitudes that would support their reintegration into society after completing their sentences.

Prison agriculture featured among the proposals, with Wontumi urging the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide equipment and other support for prison farms. The initiative would be intended to improve food production and contribute to the productive use of prison facilities.

The proposal also calls for investment in modern correctional infrastructure, with both government and private-sector participation suggested as possible ways to address existing facility challenges. Wontumi further advocated involving prison commanders more actively in justice-sector discussions to ensure that operational realities inform decisions affecting the correctional system.

Another key recommendation is the introduction of a new Prison Reform Act. He appealed to the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament to work together on legislation and funding that could provide a clearer framework for reforms.

The proposals reflect a broader argument that prisons should not focus exclusively on confinement but should also provide opportunities for rehabilitation, skills development and eventual reintegration. Wontumi also expressed the hope that Ghana could contribute to wider efforts to improve correctional systems across Africa.

The 12-point plan remains a set of proposals, and its publication does not mean that the measures have been approved or implemented. Any changes would require consideration by the relevant authorities, including the Ghana Prisons Service, government ministries and Parliament, where applicable.

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