President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to advancing comprehensive prison reforms aimed at improving conditions within Ghana’s correctional system. Speaking at the commissioning of the Damongo Prison Camp in the Savannah Region, he announced that his administration is taking steps to complete the 800-inmate capacity remand prison at Nsawam, which was initiated under his government in 2016 but subsequently abandoned.
According to the President, the Nsawam project forms part of broader efforts to decongest the country’s prisons and ensure humane treatment of inmates. He emphasized that prison reform must not only focus on infrastructure but also on fairness and rehabilitation.
In this regard, he noted that his government is reviewing bail conditions to reduce undue hardship on remand prisoners, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often struggle to meet bail requirements.
Mr. Mahama also highlighted plans to expand the use of alternative sentencing for minor and non-violent offences, including community service and probation, to reduce the strain on correctional facilities. He stressed that these measures are essential to creating a more just and humane criminal justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. The commissioning of the Damongo Prison Camp, he added, represents a continuation of his vision to modernize the prison system and provide inmates with opportunities for skills training and reintegration into society upon release.
