The Director-General of the Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has announced that the Mahama government has approved an increase in daily funding for inmate meals from GHC1.80 to GHC5. However, the funds have yet to be released. Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized that the previous amount was severely inadequate for providing proper nutrition.
During her appearance before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, September 30, she stated, “Poor feeding remains a major cause of unrest in Ghana’s prisons. When nutrition is lacking, it has ripple effects on health and various other aspects of life in prison. We are working diligently to change this situation.”
She expressed hope that the daily amount of GHC5 will be further increased in 2026 to reflect the needs of inmates, stating, “We need to address the situation for a dissatisfied adult—an angry adult—behind bars.” Currently, the prison authorities supplement food supplies through their own gardens, a small fish pond, and donations from churches.
According to her, inadequate feeding often sparks riots, putting prison officers at serious risk. We have to note on this platform that one of the things that is giving cause for inmates to riot is food. And so, we do everything within our means to ensure that as much as possible, we’re containing the inmates without the riots.
“Riots often put prison officers at risk, as they are usually the first target before any intervention occurs. Beyond just feeding, there are significant challenges that need addressing,” she emphasised.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie advocated for comprehensive reforms to enhance prison conditions and highlighted that the welfare of inmates is crucial for national security. “To ensure serious public safety in our country, we must prioritise the needs of prisoners. They are part of our community, and we never know who might be our next guest,” she stated.
Source: Leticia Osei
