The announcement was made during a passing-out parade for Recruit Course 125 at the Prisons Officers Training School (POTS) in Accra yesterday.

In all, 408 newly trained officers com­prising 220 males and 188 females duly passed out and were duly inducted into the Ghana Prisons Service.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, at the ceremony, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka said the government would resume work on the Nsawam facility, which has remained dormant for more than eight years.

“We are committed to completing this vital project to improve inmate accom­modation and reduce congestion in our prisons. Our vision is to transform cor­rectional facilities into humane, modern institutions focused not only on custody but also on rehabilitation and reintegra­tion,” he stated.

Mr Terlabi highlighted the urgent need for reforms, noting that Ghana’s prisons remain dangerously overcrowd­ed, posing serious risks to both inmates and officers.

He said the completion of the remand facility, along with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art prison complex, were key components of the govern­ment’s strategy to address the crisis.

Alhaji Muntaka further outlined the government’s broader prison reform agenda, which includes raising the Pris­oners’ Daily Feeding Rate to GH¢5, is­suing health insurance cards to inmates, expanding vocational and agricultural training programmes, and incorporating prison labour into national sanitation efforts.

“This is not an act of charity, it is a strategic investment in national security and human capital,” he emphasised.

The Minister reminded the new offi­cers of their critical role in supporting rehabilitation efforts.

“You are no longer just individuals; you are now officers of a noble institu­tion. Serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion,” Alhaji Muntaka urged.

The ceremony also celebrated ex­ceptional recruits for their outstanding performance during training. Female Recruit Officer (FRO) 23, Hlormenu Rebecca Mawusi was named Overall Best Recruit, while Recruit Officer (RO) .140, Boakye Paul received the award for Best in Physical Training. RO.58, Blandy Bright Azaa Sumah earned the Com­mandant’s Award, RO.10, Yamoah Fred­erick was recognized as Best in Drill, and RO. Essel Joseph was honoured as Overall Best Recruit (Academics).

The programme was in attendance by the Director-General of the Ghana Pris­ons Service Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bon­nie, Senior and Junior officers from the Ghana Prisons Service, Academia, and families of the newly recruits.