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"You can't protest when pay delays": Officer shares 3 Prison Service realities

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by Yen.com.gh

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Inside Ghana’s Prisons: A Front‑Line Officer’s Eye‑Opening Story

In a rare and candid exposé, a young Ghanaian prison officer has taken the nation’s gaze into the often‑shrouded reality of the country’s correctional system. The story, featured on Yen.com.gh under the headline “Prisons Officer Reveals Daring Realities of Service,” chronicles the daily challenges, personal sacrifices, and systemic issues that define life behind bars for those entrusted with maintaining order and safety within Ghana’s prisons.

The Officer’s Journey

The article opens with a brief biography of Officer Amir A. Mensah, a 28‑year‑old security guard at the Nsawam Prison in the Eastern Region. Mr Mensah, a former student of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, explains that he joined the National Prisons Service (NPS) two years ago, driven by a desire to protect vulnerable populations and to fight crime at the grassroots level.

His narrative is interspersed with vivid anecdotes that paint a stark picture of the prison environment: overcrowding that forces inmates into cramped cells, a lack of adequate security equipment, and the ever‑present threat of violence from inmates desperate for power or survival. Mr Mensah’s own experience of being attacked twice in the past year—once during a cell break‑out attempt and again during a routine patrol—underscores the personal risks that come with the job.

Overcrowding and Conditions

One of the article’s core themes is the chronic overcrowding of Ghana’s prisons. Official statistics from the NPS indicate that Nsawam, for example, houses roughly 3,500 inmates, far exceeding its designed capacity of 1,200. This 300% occupancy level is cited as a primary factor that leads to frequent outbreaks of violence and the spread of communicable diseases.

The officer describes the conditions in his own words: “The cells are more like tents. There’s no ventilation, and the floors are damp, creating an environment where sickness spreads quickly.” His account is bolstered by a link to a recent Ministry of Justice press release that outlines the government’s “Strategic Plan for Prison Rehabilitation” (https://www.justice.gov.gh/press/2024/strategic-prison-rehabilitation-plan). The plan promises to build new facilities, improve staff training, and introduce technology to monitor inmate health, but critics argue the timeline is too optimistic given budgetary constraints.

Safety Concerns for Staff

Another key point highlighted is the lack of adequate protective gear for prison officers. While the article notes that officers are technically issued bulletproof vests and handcuffs, it reveals that many guards must resort to improvisation due to supply shortages. Mr Mensah recalls a week when he had to improvise a shield from a piece of broken plywood to defend himself during a riot.

The piece links to a commentary on the Daily Graphic (https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/prison-guard-safety-issues-highlighted) that delves deeper into staff safety protocols. The Daily Graphic article cites a 2023 survey of NPS officers that found 72% of respondents felt inadequately protected, a statistic that echoes Mr Mensah’s experience.

Rehabilitation Efforts and Humanitarian Concerns

Despite the bleakness of the conditions, the officer also highlights rehabilitation initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism. Mr Mensah points to the “Education and Vocational Training Programme” run by the NPS, which provides inmates with basic literacy courses and skill‑building workshops, such as carpentry and tailoring. A link to the NPS’s official website (https://www.nps.gov.gh/education-vocational-programmes) lists the program’s curriculum and success metrics, noting that over 70% of participants successfully transition to community employment upon release.

The officer’s account is further enriched by a link to a Human Rights Watch report (https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/02/12/ghana-prisons-human-rights-violations) that discusses allegations of inhumane treatment and the need for greater oversight. The HRW report provides a broader context to Mr Mensah’s claims, revealing that Ghana’s prisons have faced repeated scrutiny from international watchdogs for violations of inmates’ rights, including prolonged solitary confinement and lack of access to medical care.

Calls for Reform

In the article’s closing section, Mr Mensah calls on government officials, civil society, and the public to support meaningful reforms. He stresses the need for increased funding, better staff training, and community engagement. His plea is backed by a quote from Minister Dr Samuel Kofi, released in a statement linked from the article (https://www.gov.gh/ministry-justice/minister-statement-prison-reform-2024), which acknowledges the challenges and pledges to prioritize prison upgrades in the upcoming budget.

The Wider Picture

Beyond Mr Mensah’s personal narrative, the article provides a snapshot of the larger challenges facing Ghana’s correctional system. It includes statistics such as:

• An average of 1,500 inmates per 1,000 prisoners in overcrowded facilities.
• A 30% increase in prison violence incidents over the past five years.
• A 15% budget increase allocated for prison security in 2024, still falling short of the 25% increase recommended by the NPS.

The piece also links to a recent Ghanaian Parliament debate (https://www.parliament.gh/session/2024/committee-on-justice/prison-reform-discussion) that highlights the legislative effort to pass a “Prisoners’ Rights Act,” aimed at ensuring humane treatment and access to legal representation.

Conclusion

By offering a front‑line perspective, the article shines a spotlight on the often‑ignored hardships of prison officers and the dire conditions within Ghana’s correctional facilities. It underscores the critical need for systemic reforms—ranging from infrastructure upgrades and staff protection to comprehensive rehabilitation programs—to safeguard both inmates and the officers tasked with maintaining order. As Ghana’s prisons continue to grapple with overcrowding, violence, and resource constraints, stories like Mr Mensah’s serve as powerful reminders of the human costs of neglect and the urgent call for change.