Doha:The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, announced enhancements in the conditions of the prison meal known as 'Zontoli', following an increase in the daily feeding allowance and efforts to supplement government-provided food. Speaking before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee, she highlighted various initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of meals, such as establishing vegetable farms, fish ponds, and poultry units at prison facilities nationwide.
According to Ghana Web, these efforts are part of broader strategies to improve inmate welfare and ensure dignified treatment. The daily feeding allowance for inmates was increased from GHS1.80 to GHS5, a significant rise intended to better meet dietary needs. The Director-General also outlined the Director-General's Kitchen Support Project, which encourages every prison to create small-scale farms and poultry units.
Baffoe-Bonnie indicated visible improvements in the feeding regime, though the notorious 'Zontoli' meal has evolved considerably. She offered to provide photographic evidence of the enhanced meals served to inmates. This development reflects a 177.8% increase in the feeding allowance, emphasizing the importance of the Prisons Service's efforts to complement government provisions.
Beyond nutritional improvements, Baffoe-Bonnie and Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka praised The Church of Pentecost for its significant contributions to prison infrastructure, particularly the construction of four prison camps. The minister stressed the potential impact of religious organizations in transforming correctional facilities and highlighted ongoing upgrades at the Damongo facility.
Additionally, the Ghana Prisons Service is launching a virtual psychosocial clinic to mitigate the shortage of psychologists and expand access to counselling for both inmates and officers. This initiative aims to enhance professional support as part of rehabilitation efforts.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized a shift toward more humane inmate management, including adopting language that values inmates as part of their rehabilitation journey. The Service is also organizing an exhibition to showcase inmate-produced goods, showcasing the success of vocational training programs.
The hearing addressed concerns about inmates using smuggled mobile phones for fraud, referencing a 2018 report. The Prisons Service remains committed to improving conditions and monitoring the quality of meals, aiming for sustained enhancements in the prison system.