Wontumi Breaks Silence On Prison Experience, Proposes Sweeping Reforms To Ghana’s Prisons

According to a report by Ghana web on Wednesday October 28, 2026, former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, months after experiencing incarceration himself.

The outspoken politician is advocating changes aimed at improving conditions within the country’s correctional facilities, bringing renewed attention to the treatment of inmates, their rights and the broader purpose of imprisonment.

Wontumi’s proposals have generated interest because they come after his personal encounter with the prison system, an experience that appears to have influenced his views on how Ghana manages its correctional institutions.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, through his spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, Wontumi presented a 12-point proposal covering healthcare, inmate welfare, family visits, prison infrastructure, rehabilitation and the need for new legislation to guide the administration of correctional facilities.

One of the most striking recommendations is the introduction of regulated conjugal visits for inmates. Wontumi wants prison authorities to provide designated private spaces where prisoners can meet their spouses and children under controlled conditions.

He believes that maintaining family relationships during incarceration could help preserve marriages, protect emotional bonds and support the rehabilitation of inmates.

The proposal also raises concerns about the impact imprisonment has on relatives who have not committed any offence

“The prisoner is in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement said, emphasising the argument that families should not bear unnecessary consequences because one of their members is incarcerated.

Healthcare is another major area addressed in the proposed reforms. Wontumi is calling for the establishment of a modern, dedicated prison hospital capable of serving inmates across the country.

While such a facility is being considered, he has proposed interim arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital to improve access to emergency medical treatment.

He also expressed concern about the adequacy of medical facilities, ambulance services and standby generators within prisons.

His proposal draws attention to the need for reliable healthcare infrastructure to protect the lives of inmates and ensure that medical emergencies receive prompt attention.

The former NPP regional chairman further raised concerns about infectious diseases in correctional facilities, particularly reports of inmates with tuberculosis being housed alongside prisoners who are not infected.

He is advocating better medical supervision and appropriate arrangements to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Wontumi also wants prison authorities to introduce a more structured inmate classification system based on the nature of offences committed and the security risks posed by individual prisoners.

Under his proposal, inmates convicted of less serious offences should be separated from those convicted of violent or more serious crimes where appropriate.

The recommendation is intended to improve prison management and reduce potential risks associated with housing different categories of offenders together.

He also called for expanded counselling and rehabilitation programmes, particularly for younger inmates, to help them develop the skills and attitudes needed to return to society after serving their sentences.

The welfare of prison officers also features prominently in the 12-point plan. Wontumi is urging the government to review their salaries, accommodation and general conditions of service, arguing that the welfare of officers is an important component of an effective correctional system.

He believes that better working conditions could support the performance of prison personnel, who are responsible for maintaining security, supervising inmates and implementing rehabilitation programmes.

Agriculture is another area covered by the proposals. Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to equip prison farms with modern machinery to improve productivity and help address food supply challenges in correctional facilities.

The proposal suggests that strengthening agricultural activities within prisons could help reduce operational costs while providing inmates with practical skills that may prove useful after their release.

Beyond healthcare and inmate welfare, Wontumi is calling for investment in prison infrastructure and the development of facilities that can support productive activities, including prison-based factories.

He has also proposed greater participation by regional prison commanders in discussions concerning the justice sector, arguing that their practical experience should inform decisions affecting the administration of correctional institutions.

Another significant aspect of the plan is the call for a new Prison Reform Act. Wontumi is urging the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament to work together towards legislation that would provide a clearer framework for prison administration and support the implementation of reforms.

His proposals also touch on policies concerning LGBTQI+ inmates, calling for clearer guidelines on their classification and management within the prison system.

The issue raises broader questions about inmate safety, appropriate accommodation and the need for consistent procedures in managing the different circumstances of people in custody.

The 12-point proposal reflects Wontumi’s argument that Ghana’s prisons should serve purposes beyond punishment and confinement.

His position is that rehabilitation, healthcare, vocational training and preparation for reintegration should form an important part of the correctional process.

His personal experience with incarceration has brought additional attention to the proposals, although the recommendations remain proposals and have not, based on the reports available, been confirmed as approved government policy.

The plan now places the question of prison reform on the public agenda, with its implementation dependent on consideration by the relevant authorities, including the Ghana Prisons Service, government ministries and Parliament.

As discussions continue, the key issue will be whether the proposed changes can translate into practical measures that improve conditions for inmates, strengthen the welfare of prison officers and make rehabilitation a more effective part of Ghana’s justice system.

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