Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has paid a working visit to the Ghana Prisons Service Headquarters in Accra.
The visit, which was aimed at interacting with the management and staff of the Ghana Prisons Service, afforded the Minister the opportunity to gain firsthand information on the Service’s operations.
In his remarks, the Minister acknowledged the crucial role the Ghana Prisons Service plays in maintaining public safety and security. He commended the Service for its efforts in providing safe custody, welfare, and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Muntaka expressed concern about the inadequate budget allocation for feeding inmates. He assured the Service that he would discuss the issue with the Minister of Finance to find a lasting solution.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for prisoners. He highlighted Government’s initiatives to provide skills training and employment opportunities to prisoners, which would enable them to reintegrate into society upon their release.
He stressed Government’s efforts to prioritise the decongestion of prisons through the implementation of non-custodial sentencing options. He also discussed the need for modernisation of prison infrastructure, including the development of digital record-keeping systems, biometric identification, and security surveillance.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr. Isaac Kofi Egyir, thanked the Minister for the visit and assured him of the Service’s commitment to delivering effective services to the nation.