The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has pledged urgent action to address the severe overcrowding at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
Originally commissioned in 1960 to house 717 inmates, the male facility currently accommodates 3,548 prisoners—nearly five times its intended capacity.
During a visit to the prison, Committee Chairman Ernest Yaw Anim acknowledged the dire conditions and committed to pushing for immediate measures to decongest the facility.
“This facility was built to accommodate only 717 people, but it now holds about 3,548 inmates. This is a serious concern, and we will bring it to the fore. Parliament, as an institution, will work to ensure that the overcrowding here is addressed as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr. Anim also announced the committee’s plans to visit witch camps in northern Ghana, as part of broader efforts to promote human rights awareness and advocacy.
“The ‘I Am Not a Witch’ campaign, led by the MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has drawn global attention to the plight of women accused of witchcraft. We will begin visits to all the witch camps in the North.
“Additionally, we plan to launch educational programmes on human rights across the country. Some issues may seem trivial to the public, but as a committee, we believe it’s important to highlight them and raise awareness about what constitutes a violation of human rights,” he added.
The committee says it is committed to working with relevant institutions and civil society groups to improve the country’s human rights record and uphold the dignity of all citizens.
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