Report by Nana POKU
The Minister of the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka has appealed to religious bodies in Ghana to embark on the rapid transformation of the prison system in the country.
The minister met leaders of the various religious leaders in Accra on the 12th of March, 2025 at the Accra City Hotel and put forward this humble appeal.
The minister intimated that about 14,000 inmates are currently languishing in our prisons for various offences but undergoing terrible treatment and handling due to overwhelming challenges in the centres.
According to him, Ghana has 48 prison camps which are bursting over due to congestion. He called on the various religious bodies to build more spacious centres to accommodate the inmates and supply the inmates some materials and food items.
Again he urged the leaders to use their pulpits to advise the youth to live decent orderly lives to abstain from juvenile delinquency which is increasing abnormally.
He particularly praised the Church of Pentecost for assisting the ministry in building modern correctional centers for the prisons.
He disclosed the apart from the one the church had built in the Ashanti region, the church is building five more in various locations to augment government’s efforts. He called on other churches to emulate this shiny example.
The minister indicated that some reformatory steps are underway to lessen the drudgery and pain in the various cells of the inmates in the country.
He advocated for giving skills training and educating the inmates to equip them with skills and knowledge to be employable or self- employable after their release from incarceration as done in some countries.
“This will occupy them and take their minds away from negative thoughts for committing further crimes when released,” he said.
The minister told the forum that some inmates intentionally go back to sin for the same offence or another one soon after release from cell for lack of job, unacceptability, stigmatism and family disownment.
He called for steps to treat inmates with respect, care and caution so that those who show real remorse, respect and compliance can have their sentence slashed down on yearly basis to decongest the cells.
The minister lamented about the obstruction of justice by some influential people in society; the long periods of trials; legal gymnastics by counsels that unduly delay or stagnate cases in the courts thus denying innocent persons fair trials and bails or discharge.
He warned that his ministry will ensure fair justice, fair trials and called on the police to expedite charges and investigations to ensure speedy trials and justice on time.
He stated that no one will be discriminated against in justice delivery; that everyone will be subject to the laws of the land and will be treated with the same measure in justice delivery.
The minister spoke on the need for peaceful co-existence, mutual respect; religious tolerance and strict adherence of laid down laws and rules to ensure an absolute freedom and peace in the country.
He argued that in as much as we have some challenges and difficulties, Ghana is seen as an oasis of peace and freedom respected by many neighbouring countries who are in turmoil.
