Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for sweeping reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the establishment of a dedicated prison hospital, regulated conjugal visitation and improved welfare for prison officers.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who has been on remand since July 20, 2026, made the proposals following what his spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, described as reflections on prison conditions based on his interactions with inmates and prison officers.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi believed Ghana’s correctional system needed to move beyond punishment to focus more on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.

“Not all prisoners are prisoners,” the statement quoted him as saying, emphasising the need to distinguish between different categories of inmates and improve conditions within correctional facilities.

Calls for dedicated prison hospital

One of the major concerns raised by Chairman Wontumi is the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure in prisons.

According to the statement, some facilities lack well-equipped medical centres, ambulances and standby generators, making it difficult to provide timely treatment for seriously ill inmates.

He also expressed concern about the alleged practice of inmates with infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, sharing sleeping spaces with healthy prisoners.

He has therefore called for the construction of an ultra-modern prison hospital to serve correctional facilities across the country.

As an interim measure, he proposed establishing emergency referral arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital to improve access to specialised medical care.

Prison overcrowding and inmate classification

Chairman Wontumi also raised concerns about the classification of inmates, arguing that people convicted of minor offences could be held alongside persons convicted of serious crimes, including armed robbery.

He further questioned the placement of persons standing trial for offences such as treason and terrorism alongside ordinary inmates, describing the practice as a potential security concern.

He called for a more effective classification system that considers the nature of offences, security risks and the circumstances of individual inmates.

The statement also highlighted concerns about young male inmates, particularly those between 18 and 35 years facing defilement-related cases.

Chairman Wontumi reportedly argued that prolonged incarceration and inadequate counselling could expose vulnerable inmates to further behavioural and psychological challenges.

He called for improved classification, counselling and rehabilitation programmes, alongside clear policy direction on the management of LGBTQI+ inmates.

Advocates family and conjugal visitation

The former remand prisoner’s reflections also included a proposal for regulated conjugal visits and improved opportunities for inmates to maintain family relationships.

He argued that spouses and children should not be made to bear the consequences of incarceration beyond what is necessary.

“The prisoner is in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement said in explaining his position.

He believes designated private visitation areas, operating under appropriate regulations, could help preserve marriages, strengthen family bonds and reduce tension among inmates.

Welfare of prison officers and agricultural support

Chairman Wontumi further urged the government to review the salaries, accommodation and conditions of service of officers of the Ghana Prisons Service.

He maintained that improving officers’ welfare was essential to strengthening the country’s correctional system.

On agriculture, he called for greater investment in prison farms, arguing that the service had access to extensive land and skilled labour but lacked sufficient equipment to maximise production.

The statement alleged that the service had only one tractor available for agricultural and other operational needs, including the handling of garbage.

He appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farming through the provision of tractors and other essential equipment.

He also called for increased investment in prison infrastructure, including modern facilities and factories that could support vocational training, productive work and rehabilitation.

According to the statement, he believes the prison system has experienced limited structural improvement since 1962, apart from initiatives such as pure water production.

Wants Parliament to lead prison reform

Chairman Wontumi has made a special appeal to Parliament to spearhead legislative and budgetary changes aimed at improving prison conditions.

He urged the Speaker of Parliament to lead a national conversation on prison reform, describing the issue as one of human rights and national development.

He also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.

Additionally, he urged the parliamentary select committees responsible for Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.

He argued that regional prison commanders should also be included in relevant justice-sector discussions, stressing that correctional work continues long after a court has delivered its judgment.

“The real job begins after judgement,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Calls for broader African prison reforms

Beyond Ghana, Chairman Wontumi believes prison reform should become a priority across Africa, with the country taking the lead in improving correctional practices and facilities.

He also suggested that the terminology used to describe prisons should be reconsidered as part of a broader shift towards rehabilitation and reform.

Reflecting on his experience since July 20, the statement quoted him as saying: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”

He appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader, the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice and the government to prioritise prison welfare and the proposed reforms.

Despite his concerns about the conditions outlined in the statement, Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.