Wontumi proposes dedicated prison hospital, improved officers’ welfare and new Prison Reform Act

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for sweeping reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including a dedicated prison hospital, improved welfare for prison officers and regulated conjugal visits for inmates.

The proposals follow his remand on July 20, 2026, according to a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, by his spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah.

Dr Boakye-Danquah said his visits to Chairman Wontumi had provided an opportunity for the politician to reflect on conditions within the Ghana Prisons Service, which he believes have seen limited structural improvement since 1962.

Chairman Wontumi is advocating a shift from a punishment-focused system to one that prioritises rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.

“Not all prisoners are prisoners,” the statement quoted him as saying, stressing the need to reconsider how inmates are treated and prepared for reintegration into society.

A major concern is the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure in some prisons. According to the statement, some facilities lack dedicated hospitals, ambulances and standby generators, making it difficult to provide timely treatment for seriously ill inmates, including those with tuberculosis and terminal illnesses.

He is calling for an ultra-modern prison hospital to serve correctional facilities nationwide. As an interim measure, he has proposed emergency arrangements linking prisons to the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.

He also raised concerns about overcrowding and the reported practice of inmates with tuberculosis sharing sleeping spaces with healthy prisoners, warning of the potential public health risks.

Chairman Wontumi has further urged the government to review the salaries, accommodation and conditions of service of prison officers, arguing that better welfare would strengthen the Ghana Prisons Service and improve the performance of personnel.

The statement also called for a more effective inmate classification system to prevent minor offenders from being housed alongside people convicted of serious crimes, including armed robbery. It raised additional security concerns about persons standing trial for offences such as treason and terrorism being accommodated with ordinary inmates.

On rehabilitation, Chairman Wontumi expressed concern about young men aged between 18 and 35 held in connection with defilement cases, arguing that incarceration without adequate counselling and rehabilitation could worsen behavioural challenges.

The statement also raised concerns about same-sex relationships in prisons and called for counselling and clearer policy direction on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates.

He is additionally advocating designated private areas where inmates can receive visits from their spouses and children under regulated conditions, saying such arrangements could help preserve marriages, maintain family bonds and reduce tensions among inmates.

“The prisoner is in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement said, explaining his position on family visitation.

Chairman Wontumi has also called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with modern equipment. According to the statement, the Prisons Service has access to extensive land and skilled labour but lacks adequate machinery, with only one tractor reportedly available for agricultural and garbage-handling duties.

He believes investment in prison agriculture could increase food production, reduce operational costs and equip inmates with practical skills for life after incarceration. He has also called for greater investment in prison infrastructure, including factories and modern facilities to support vocational training and productive activities.

He wants Parliament to lead a national conversation on prison reform and is urging the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.

The statement also called on Parliament’s Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to visit prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.

Chairman Wontumi has proposed closer collaboration between prison authorities, the judiciary and other justice sector institutions, including the involvement of regional prison commanders in relevant justice sector deliberations.

“The real job begins after judgement,” the statement quoted him as saying, arguing that sentencing should be complemented by effective rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

He has also urged African countries to reconsider their approach to incarceration, saying Ghana has an opportunity to promote a system that places greater emphasis on rehabilitation, dignity and social reintegration.

Reflecting on his experience since his remand, he said: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”

The statement concluded with an appeal to the Speaker of Parliament, the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader, the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice and the government to prioritise prison welfare and reform.

Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits despite his incarceration.

RE: CHAIRMAN WONTUMI’S REFLECTIONS FROM PRISON – CALLS FOR DEDICATED PRISON HOSPITAL, CONJUGAL VISITATION, AND TOTAL REFORM

Following my consistent visits to Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) since his remand on July 20th, 2026, I wish to share his full reflections on the state of Ghana’s prisons and his humble appeal for urgent reforms.

Chairman Wontumi notes that his incarceration has been a period of deep reflection. He has had first-hand interaction with prison officers, inmates, and the conditions under which the Ghana Prison Service operates – a system he says has seen little structural improvement since 1962.

He emphasizes that “Not all prisoners are prisoners” and that our correctional system must move from punishment to true reform, welfare and productivity.

Chairman Wontumi makes a special appeal to Parliament of Ghana for these changes to happen. He calls on:

1. The Speaker of Parliament to lead the conversation on prison reform as a matter of human rights and national development. 2. The Majority Caucus and Minority Caucus to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass a new Prison Reform Act, approve budgetary allocation for a dedicated Prison Hospital, ambulance service, generators, and agricultural equipment. 3. The Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to pay working visits to prisons across the country to see conditions firsthand. He believes that without Parliament – Majority and Minority working together with the Speaker – the needed legal and budgetary reforms cannot happen.

“At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”

Appeal:Chairman Wontumi respectfully appeals to the Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Attorney General, Chief Justice and Government to prioritize prison welfare.

Signed:Dr. Palgrave Boakye-DanquahSpokesperson to Chairman Wontumi