Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang announces GH‵5 daily feeding rate for inmates

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has announced an upward revision of the daily feeding allowance for inmates in the Ghana Prisons Service, increasing the rate from GH₵1.80 to GH₵5 per person. This change is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns regarding the nutritional welfare of the incarcerated population and forms part of a wider strategy to modernize the nation's correctional system. The announcement marks a significant budgetary shift intended to improve the daily living conditions of those within the prison system.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony for the latest intake of the Prisons Cadet Course, the Vice President emphasized that the government’s vision for the Ghana Prisons Service extends beyond simple incarceration. She highlighted the importance of the Community Service Act 2026, which is expected to introduce non-custodial sentencing options to reduce overcrowding and focus state resources on more effective rehabilitation strategies. The Vice President noted that prisons must evolve to serve as institutions for both public protection and successful inmate reintegration into society.

In addition to the financial adjustment for feeding, the government is intensifying efforts to provide inmates with practical skills through vocational training and expanded farming initiatives. These programs are designed to equip prisoners with the necessary tools for self-sufficiency upon their release, thereby reducing recidivism. By investing in operational capacities and facility improvements, the administration aims to ensure that correctional centers are conducive to the reformative goals of the service rather than being merely punitive.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang concluded by urging the public to play an active role in the rehabilitation process by welcoming former inmates back into their communities. She stressed that the success of these government reforms depends heavily on the elimination of social stigmatization. By fostering an environment of acceptance, the Vice President argued that the country can better ensure that reintegrated individuals contribute positively to national development.