The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has given an assurance that government will as part of its legacy ensure that the Ghana Prisons Service receives its fair share of resources to improve the status of the service. 

He indicated that the government wanted to, as part of its legacy, change the status of the Prisons Service as an orphan institution under the Ministry of Interior into one of the well-resourced security agencies in order to address its numerous challenges.

“As a legacy of President John Dramani Mahama, we want everybody to be able to admit that the Ghana Prisons Service is no longer the orphan of the Minister of Interior.

Be rest assured that we are here to work and reset Ghana.”

“We are here to work and I can assure you of my full commitment and support to the Ghana Prisons Service. Believe me, I have your back and I'll work tirelessly to improve your life,” the Interior Minister gave the assurance.

Mr Muntaka was speaking during a meeting with Prisons officers when he paid a courtesy call on the Ghana Prisons Service Head Office in Cantonment-Accra last Monday.

The call was part of the working visit and familiarisation tour to institutions and agencies under the Ministry of the Interior. He was received by ­­the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Isaac Egyir.   

Initiatives

Mr Muntaka, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, said government would make efforts to improve the manpower base of the service through recruitment and training, and address concerns of inadequate budget allocation for feeding inmates.

He emphasised the need for rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for prisoners, highlighting the government's initiative to provide skills training and employment opportunities for the inmates.

The minister said government would do whatever it could to ensure that it prioritised the decongestion of the prisons through the implementation of non-custodial sentencing options.

Mr Muntaka called for modernisation of the prisons infrastructure including leveraging technology for the development of digital record keeping system, biometric identification and security surveillance.

He added that would also enhance partnership with private institutions to improve the conditions of the service.

Support, challenges 

The Director ­-General of the Prisons Service, Isaac Egyir, assured of the Prisons Service’s support to the Minister of Interior in ensuring that he succeeded in his mandate.

“The Prisons administration and the entire personnel are ready to support you in this endeavour to ensure your success.

We call for more collaborative effort with the Ministry to enhance public safety and security in the country,” he said.

He eulogised the presence of the Interior Minister, saying, “your presence today is not only working visits but also a sign of hope and inspiration for the Ghana Prison Service coupled with your positive change and to promote good working conditions for officers”.