Ghana’s prisons are in a dire state, and Interior Minister-designate Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak did not hold back during his vetting before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on January 24, 2025.
Expressing his shock, he revealed that the daily feeding allowance for inmates is just GH¢1.80—a figure he described as appalling.
“Even cats and dogs in our homes, how much do we spend on them?” he asked, drawing attention to the inhumane treatment of prisoners.
Muntaka’s words highlight the grim reality of the prison system, where such a meager amount cannot possibly support balanced and nutritious meals for inmates.
Adequate nutrition is vital, not just for physical health but also for the successful rehabilitation of prisoners. Yet, this critical need is grossly unmet, leaving inmates in a vulnerable state.
But the problem isn’t limited to feeding alone. Muntaka also shed light on the severe overcrowding and deplorable living conditions within Ghana’s prisons.
These issues fuel the spread of diseases and increase the chances of inmates reoffending once released.
He emphasized the urgency of comprehensive prison reforms, pointing to Kenya as an example, where inmates engage in productive factory work that benefits the economy and promotes rehabilitation.