The Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Prisons, Ousmane Tesembedo, has called for urgent steps to decongest the Kumasi Central Prisons. According to him, the facility currently accommodates almost two thousand inmates, which is almost three times the capacity of the prison.
Mr Tesembedo noted that as a result of the increasing numbers, the social distancing protocol directed by health experts to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, cannot be adhered to in the prison.
He made the call when the President of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso donated items valued at 12 thousand Cedis to the prisons.
The issue of congestion, with its attendant health challenges at the Kumasi Central Prison, continues to be a matter of concern to the Ghana Prisons Service.
A number of civil society groups have consistently called for an upward review of the feeding grant for inmates, describing the daily One Cedi 80 Pesewas per head as woefully inadequate.
Receiving the items, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Prisons, Ousmane Tesembedo expressed gratitude to individuals and institutions who have supported the upkeep of inmates, especially during this difficult time.
He highlighted some of the challenges currently confronting the inmates. The items donated included 100 boxes of carbolic soap, 20 gallons of hand sanitizers and toilet rolls.
