Minority demands immediate payment of Prisons Officers’ allowance arrears

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has mounted pressure on government over the delayed payment of non salary allowances owed to officers of the Ghana Prisons Service, demanding the immediate settlement of the outstanding arrears.

In a statement dated Monday February 23, 2026 and signed by Deputy Ranking Member on the Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, the Caucus said it was alarmed by a recent communication from the Prisons Administration confirming that three quarters of Rent Allowance for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2025 are still unpaid.

Describing the development as deeply troubling, the Minority stressed that the Ghana Prisons Service is a vital component of the country’s national security architecture and cannot be treated with neglect.

The statement noted that despite operating under difficult and often hazardous conditions, prison officers continue to discharge their responsibilities with discipline and commitment, and must therefore not be denied what is lawfully due them.

According to the Caucus, the prolonged delay in settling statutory allowances is exerting severe financial strain on officers and their families, especially in meeting rent and other essential household obligations. It warned that undermining the welfare of security personnel risks eroding morale, weakening operational effectiveness and ultimately threatening national security stability.

The Minority insisted that its intervention is not politically motivated but anchored in the defence of labour rights and the preservation of institutional integrity. It argued that timely payment of allowances is fundamental to maintaining a motivated and efficient public service.

The Caucus called on the Ministry of Finance and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to immediately publish a clear and transparent timetable for the release of funds to clear the arrears. It further urged the Ministry of the Interior to enhance coordination among relevant state agencies to prevent a repeat of such delays in the 2026 fiscal year.

While acknowledging efforts by the Prisons Administration to escalate the issue to higher authorities, the Minority encouraged sustained openness in communication with officers of the Service.

The statement commended personnel of the Ghana Prisons Service for their patience and restraint and urged them to remain professional as steps are taken to address the situation.

It assured officers that it would utilise all available parliamentary oversight tools to ensure the matter is resolved decisively, maintaining that the State has a duty to honour its financial commitments to its workers without delay.