GH¢1.80 feeding budget: Prisoners treated worse than cats and dogs – Muntaka

Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, the Minister-Designate for the Interior, has raised significant concerns about the dire conditions in Ghana’s prisons, particularly the insufficient budget allocated for feeding inmates.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Friday, January 24, Muntaka pledged to prioritise prison reform if confirmed for the role.

The Asawase Member of Parliament criticised the current daily feeding allowance of GH¢1.80 per prisoner, describing it as both inadequate and inhumane.

“I was shocked when I heard that the rationing for feeding a prisoner in Ghana is GH¢1.80 for the whole day. With the greatest respect, even the cats and dogs in our homes are fed better than this. These are our compatriots who, despite their mistakes, deserve humane treatment while being rehabilitated,” Muntaka stated.

He expressed concern about the health implications of such poor nutrition, particularly in prisons plagued by overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, which exacerbate the spread of contagious diseases.

Muntaka assured the Committee that addressing the feeding budget would be a top priority under his leadership.

“It is a very serious issue, and I assure my colleagues that I will pay attention to it and address it,” he added.

The Minister-Designate also highlighted broader systemic issues, such as overcrowding in prisons, calling for a comprehensive review of the prison system to ensure it aligns with humane and rehabilitative standards.

-MyNewsGH