Accra: An ex-convict, Kweku Gardener, has made startling allegations regarding the entry of illicit drugs into some prison facilities in the country, claiming that security officers are directly involved in smuggling operations.
According to Ghana Web, Gardener detailed in a viral video that surfaced on August 5, 2026, that some inmates engage in bribing security personnel to facilitate the entry of cannabis into their cells. He asserted that police officers are often paid to ensure that cannabis is smuggled into prisons, stating, "You have to pay the policemen on the way to get cannabis into prison."
Gardener further highlighted the potential consequences of a cannabis shortage within prison walls, which he claims can lead to heightened tension and violence among inmates. "When there is no cannabis in prison, it breeds confusion and fights in the cells, which leads to some inmates getting injured," he remarked.
Addressing the widespread issue of drug abuse among prisoners, Gardener explained that many inmates resort to drug use as a coping mechanism to deal with the psychological pressures of incarceration. He elaborated, "If you have stayed in such a facility and there is even a shortage of tobacco, there will be casualties. They smoke to escape depression. I believe the active chemical in cannabis subdues the anger of prisoners."
These revelations come in the wake of recent concerns raised by the Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, about the rising incidents of drug trafficking within Ghana's prison system. Muntaka pointed to inadequate security measures as a major factor, noting that the lack of advanced technology such as X-ray scanners and CCTV cameras significantly hampers the ability of prison officials to detect and prevent the smuggling of illegal substances.