Also known as: Prisons authorities · Ghana Prison Service · Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service · Security and Operations Unit of the Ghana Prisons Service
Ghana Prisons Service — government agency operating correctional facilities nationwide, receiving recent government support for improved inmate feeding, healthcare, and rehabilitation programmes.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Ghana Prisons Service
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… The prosecution subsequently requested that both accused persons be remanded into prison custody, arguing that their complaints about restricted family access at the NIB facility would be addressed under the Ghana Prisons Service. …
Kaneshie Court remands two accused persons in Immigration Officer murder case into prison custodyJoy Online
… Ghana can adopt the same approach through a carefully managed pilot programme involving the Judicial Service, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Prisons Service. …
Can Ghana replace onerous bail conditions with electronic tracking bracelets?Joy Online
… uncil: Highlighting this policy of total de-establishment, the Government accepted an amendment to Article 153(g) of the Constitution to replace the “representative of the Chairmen of Regional Tribunals” on the Judicial Council with a representative from the Ghana Prisons Service …
THE LAW 101: Contemporary Critique, Administrative Reforms, and the De-Establishment of the Tribunal System (2011-2025) (Part II)Joy Online
The Ghana Prisons Service says the introduction of the Community Service Act, 2026 and the Parole Regulations, 2026, marks a significant step towards reducing overcrowding in prisons while promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. …
Community service and parole reforms to help reduce prison overcrowding – Director General of PrisonsJoy Online
More than 1,500 inmates across Ghana’s prison facilities have participated in formal education programmes since 2019, with many achieving a 100 per cent pass rate, according to the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq.). …
Over 1,500 inmates have accessed formal education since 2019 – Director-General of PrisonsJoy Online
The Ghana Prisons Service says it is transforming the country’s prison system from one focused primarily on custody and punishment to a modern correctional model centred on rehabilitation, skills development and the successful reintegration of inmates into society. …
Ghana Prisons Service shifts focus from punishment to rehabilitation under new reform agendaJoy Online
… Isaac Achiri, and formed part of the church’s efforts to minister to inmates and strengthen its partnership with the Ghana Prisons Service. …
Assemblies of God Church visits Gambaga local prison, donates food and toiletries to inmatesJoy Online
… Speaking at the event, the UNODC Project Coordinator, Mr Christophe Campbell, said the project began three years ago with the training of officers of the Ghana Prisons Service on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, widely known as the Nelson …
UNODC commissions bakery and vocational training facilities at Nsawam Medium Security PrisonJoy Online
… Speaking on behalf of the Northern Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service, Superintendent Wristberg Maxinus expressed appreciation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the intervention. …
Tamale Teaching Hospital embarks on health outreach at Tamale Central PrisonThe Chronicle
… ing efforts to improve Ghana’s criminal justice system through initiatives such as the Justice for All Programme, which it said has contributed to reducing the country’s remand population from 33 percent in 2007 to 12.8 percent, according to records from the Ghana Prisons Service …
POS Foundation hails passage of Community Service Bill as major Criminal Justice ReformThe Ghana Prisons Service has called for a comprehensive National Reintegration Policy to help formerly incarcerated persons overcome stigma, discrimination, and unemployment as they rebuild their lives after prison, emphasizing the need for sustained support from government, the private sector, families and communities.
5 hours ago · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service has called for a comprehensive National Reintegration Policy to help formerly incarcerated persons overcome stigma, discrimination, and unemployment as they rebuild their lives after prison, emphasizing the need for sustained support from government, the private sector, families and communities.
5 hours ago · Joy Online →
Telecel Ghana Foundation has donated medical equipment and healthcare supplies to the Ghana Prisons Service Medical Equipment Bank, including examination beds, blood pressure monitors, resuscitators, nebulisers, centrifuges, diagnostic instruments, pulse oximeters, and IV stands, to strengthen healthcare delivery in correctional facilities nationwide.
3 November 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang told graduating prison officer cadets that humane treatment and dignity for inmates is a fundamental responsibility of the Ghana Prisons Service, and assured that the government is committed to improving staff welfare, institutional capacity, and professional development.
2 November 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's government has raised the daily feeding allowance for prison inmates from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang announced. The increase is part of broader efforts to improve prison conditions, strengthen rehabilitation programmes, and enhance the operational capacity of the Ghana Prisons Service.
1 November 2026 · Joy Online →
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged newly commissioned Ghana Prisons Service officers to demonstrate discipline and professionalism, stressing that humane treatment of inmates is a constitutional obligation. She noted the government is taking steps to address overcrowding through the Community Service Act and non-custodial sentencing, while also providing farming inputs to prisons for food production and inmate skills development.
30 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Dramani Mahama has approved the promotion of 15 Ghana Prisons Service officers: seven Deputy Directors of Prisons to Directors of Prisons and eight Assistant Directors of Prisons to Deputy Directors of Prisons. The promotions took effect from July 1, 2026, and were announced on October 29, 2026.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service Council Chairman disclosed plans to explore legal assistance for inmates, who have expressed difficulties accessing court proceedings and securing legal representation for appeals. He is in discussions with more than 100 lawyers to explore ways of providing legal support.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama has appointed 15 officers of the Ghana Prisons Service, promoting seven Deputy Directors to Directors of Prisons and eight Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, effective July 1, 2026.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Breast Society of Ghana organised an awareness walk through central Accra on October 24, 2026, to promote breast cancer screening and early detection. Medical personnel and survivors conducted educational sessions at Makola Market and Kinbu, distributing leaflets and emphasising that early detection and prompt treatment improve outcomes.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
A Foundation for Security and Development in Africa report shows Ghana is making progress on gender parity in its security forces and peacekeeping operations through institutional quotas, legislative backing, and international partnerships. The evaluation documents developments including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024, a National Gender Policy for 2025–2034, and Armed Forces gender policy.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service has disputed claims that five inmates at Nsawam Prison were relocated following an alleged plot to poison convicted former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. The Service confirmed it launched investigations after Wontumi's aide raised the matter, though it noted the complaint came from a spokesperson rather than Wontumi himself.
28 October 2026 · Joy Online →
MP Peter Toobu has backed former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako's call for sweeping reforms in Ghana's prison system, including a dedicated prison hospital, improved welfare for officers, and regulated conjugal visits. Toobu argued that prisons should reform inmates and treat them humanely, stressing that committing a crime should not strip individuals of their humanity.
28 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service has stated that convicted former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) is well and safe in custody at Nsawam Prison and is not receiving preferential treatment. The service is investigating Wontumi's claim that inmates attempted to poison him.
28 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service is investigating convicted Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi)'s claim that prison inmates attempted to poison him, though the report came through his spokesperson rather than directly from Wontumi. The Prisons Service spokesperson noted that attempted poisoning incidents are uncommon in Ghana.
28 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, remanded since July 2026, has issued a statement reflecting on Ghana's prison conditions and calling for reforms including improved pay and accommodation for prison officers, a dedicated prison hospital with emergency linkages to military and police hospitals, and better classification of inmates to separate minor offenders from serious convicts.
27 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has called on the government and Parliament to reform Ghana's prison system, including constructing a dedicated prison hospital and introducing regulated conjugal visits, drawing on Chairman Wontumi's observations during his remand in July 2026.
27 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana's national armwrestling team, the Golden Arms, has departed for the 2026 World Armwrestling Championship in New Delhi, India, with African champions Grace Minta, Mabel Yeboah, and Daniel Acquah among those competing. The championship takes place from October 26 to November 7, 2026, and Ghana aims to improve its medal count and strengthen its global standing.
26 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Security and Operations Unit of the Ghana Prisons Service has organised a Cell Extraction Technique training exercise for recruits at the Prisons Officers Training School, aimed at strengthening their operational preparedness to handle challenging situations within prison facilities while maintaining security and order.
22 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, a Parliament committee chairman, has called for government institutions to purchase goods produced by prison inmates as a way to provide a sustainable market for vocational businesses and reduce the Ghana Prisons Service's reliance on donations and philanthropic support.
21 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Following an Auditor-General's report highlighting persistent reintegration challenges and high recidivism among discharged inmates, the Ghana Prisons Service Director General told Parliament that inadequate funding is the main obstacle to executing the service's mandate of rehabilitation and reintegration across 45 facilities. The service is proposing increased budgetary allocation, including a 1% CSR allocation, to address rehabilitation shortcomings.
21 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Two Ghana Immigration Service officers received unearned salaries totalling up to GH¢57,006 and have been ordered to refund by November 7, 2026; the ministry plans to hold authorising officials financially responsible if the money is not recovered, and will introduce new HR software to prevent similar errors.
21 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service has appealed to the Public Accounts Committee for welfare interventions, including a contagious disease allowance and better remuneration, citing harsh working conditions that prison officers face while sharing the same environment as convicted inmates.
20 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Prisons Service Director-General told Parliament that family neglect, social exclusion and limited employment opportunities are pushing former inmates back to incarceration. An Auditor-General report found that former inmates from 15 of Ghana's 45 prisons returned to prison between 2020 and 2025, despite an inmate support programme, with the Director-General noting that vocational training alone cannot prevent reoffending without post-release support and jobs.
20 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has commended the Ghana Prisons Service for using creative arts to promote inmate rehabilitation, skills development and economic empowerment. The Deputy Minister called for exhibitions to become sustainable platforms for talent discovery and commercialisation of inmate artworks, while urging the public to recognise the dignity and potential of incarcerated persons.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Author, advocate and artist Dr Abena Nyarkoa Asomaning launched three books—Women's Leadership in Africa, The Shrewd You and Bloom—and auctioned original paintings to support incarcerated women, young people and former inmates at an event in Accra. Proceeds benefit the Angel-Zoe Foundation's work with people rebuilding their lives.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama announced plans to recruit approximately 40,000 young Ghanaians into security services between 2025 and 2028. According to the President, 12,000 people were recruited in 2025, with additional recruitment exercises expected over the next three years to meet the government's target.
12 October 2026 · The Chronicle →
Female officers from the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Police Service and Ghana Prisons Service held a breast cancer awareness campaign in Wa's streets, marked by pink ribbons and uniforms. The campaign was led by Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Prospera Soliku, President of the Immigration Ladies Association in the Upper West Region, who shared that she had lost loved ones to breast cancer.
11 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has commended the Ghana Prisons Service for using creative arts to develop inmates' skills and prepare them for economic opportunities after release. Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi stressed that correctional facilities should provide practical opportunities for personal development and urged the public to avoid stigmatising incarcerated persons.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Public Accounts Committee has instructed the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to recover GH¢2.5 million owed by more than 295 public institutions, including MMDAs and security services, within 30 days. The Committee also directed CWSA to seek police assistance in recovering more than GH¢300,000 owed by 72 police stations.
8 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Public Accounts Committee has instructed the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to recover GH¢10 million in outstanding water bills from public institutions within 30 days. Security agencies, health facilities, schools and Regional Coordinating Councils account for the debt, with GH¢2.5 million attributed to the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Prisons Service and hospitals, and GH¢7.5 million from other public institutions.
7 October 2026 · Joy Online →