By Celestine Avi & Seth Eyiah
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s prison system through comprehensive reforms that promote rehabilitation, dignity, and second chances for inmates.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Damongo Camp Prison in the Savannah Region, the President described the new facility as a sanctuary of hope and restoration, built through partnership between the Church of Pentecost and the Ghana Prisons Service.
Symbol of Hope and Partnership
President Mahama said the Damongo Camp Prison represents more than a place of confinement. It symbolizes hope, redemption, and the power of partnership between the state, the church, and the community.
He praised the Church of Pentecost for turning faith into practical compassion, describing the project as proof that nation-building is a collective moral duty, not the work of government alone.
The President noted that the Church had previously built and handed over similar facilities in Ejura and Nsawam, with the Obuasi Camp Prison currently under construction.
Biblical Reflection and Presidential Gesture
Quoting from the teachings of Jesus Christ, President Mahama reminded the gathering that serving the vulnerable is a divine duty.
“Jesus said, whatever you do for the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. When I was in prison, you visited me.”
In response to an earlier appeal from the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, the President announced the donation of a brand-new 66-seater bus to the Damongo Camp Prison to facilitate transport for officers and inmates, a gesture he said would also serve the wider Damongo community.
Prison Reform Agenda
President Mahama outlined a broad Prison Reform Agenda focused on humane treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment. He revealed that government is expanding the use of alternative sentencing for minor offences, reviewing bail conditions to reduce hardship, and introducing a parole system to reward good behaviour.
The President also pledged to complete the 800-inmate remand prison at Nsawam, develop modern correctional centres for men, women, and juveniles, and improve conditions of service for prison officers.
Rehabilitation and Skills Development
Highlighting the NDC’s 24-hour economy policy, President Mahama said the Ghana Prisons Service will play an active role by operating prison industries round the clock.
These industries, he explained, will focus on manufacturing school uniforms, furniture, and agro-processing, generating income while providing inmates with employable skills for life after release.
He further announced that prison camps will be supported with tractors, mechanized equipment, and fertilizer to expand large-scale agricultural ventures.
Feeding and Human Dignity
The President also disclosed that government has increased the daily feeding rate for inmates from ₵1.80 to ₵5.00 to ensure proper nutrition.
He stressed that this is not an act of charity, but justice, reflecting the belief that “dignity should never depend on one’s circumstances.”
Global Standards and Collaboration
President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to international standards such as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).
He said Ghana will continue collaborating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the African Union, and ECOWAS to ensure humane, fair, and effective justice systems.
Call to National Conscience
Closing his remarks, President Mahama called on religious organizations, civil society, and corporate institutions to emulate the Church of Pentecost’s example.
“Together, let us build a Ghana where justice is tempered with mercy, discipline with compassion, and power is wielded with purpose.” He then declared the Damongo Camp Prison officially commissioned, extending appreciation to the Church of Pentecost, the Ghana Prisons Service, and the chiefs and people of the Damongo Traditional Area for their support.
