Minister-Designate for The Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has been devastated by the feeding conditions of the country’s prisoners.
He indicated that budgetary allocations for the feeding of prisoners is woefully inadequate.
According to him, the GH¢1.80 daily feeding budget per prisoner, is grossly insufficient and inhumane.
He expressed worry about the fact that prisoners were unable to receive nutritious and balanced diets from this meagre amount, adding that Ghc1.80 cannot even feed household pets.
“I was shocked when I heard that the rationing for feeding a prisoner in Ghana is GH¢1.80 for the whole day and I doubt with the greatest of respect that even the cats and dogs in our houses, how much food do we give them that we will put our own compatriots because of one mistake or the other, in trying to correct them, we feed them with GH¢1.80 and expect them to be healthy?”
He assured the Committee that improving the feeding budget would be a top priority under his leadership.
“It is a very serious thing and I assure my colleagues that I will pay attention to it and address it.”
The Minister-Designate expressed deep concern over the health implications of such poor nutrition, particularly in an environment where inmates are already vulnerable to contagious diseases due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
Muntaka also highlighted the broader challenges facing Ghana’s prison system, including severe overcrowding.
Many of the country’s prisons operate far beyond their intended capacity, creating an environment ripe for the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, scabies, and other communicable illnesses.
Watch Video:
Interior Minister designate Muntaka Mohammed bemoans GHC 1.80 daily meals for inmates #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/V7r8VoM9Op
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 24, 2025
