Ghana’s Interior Minister, Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka, has raised alarm over the severe congestion in the country’s prisons, which currently house nearly 14,000 inmates.
With limited infrastructure to accommodate this growing number, the minister is calling on religious bodies, businesses, and other stakeholders to help decongest the prison system and introduce training programs that will equip inmates with useful skills.
At a high-level meeting with religious leaders, he encouraged private-public partnerships in agriculture and artisanal ventures to support the initiatives rollout as part of reforms to help decongest Ghana’s Prisons.
According to Hon. Muntaka, the overwhelming majority of prisoners—92%—cannot be released due to the nature of their sentences.
However, he emphasized that incarceration should not prevent them from acquiring skills that can help reintegrate them into society after serving their time.
“We want to create industrial hubs within our prisons, where businesses can establish within our prisons. And when they do, they are guaranteed of what we call a hands-on workforce. We are simply paying a minimum wage, but what it does, it does four things for the average prisoner.’’
Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Minister of Interior
He outlined four important contributions these industrial hubs would have in the lives of these inmates.
The reduction of their financial burden on the state – by working in these industrial hubs, prisoners contribute to their upkeep.
Promotes discipline and good behavior – only well-behaved prisoners will have access to these work opportunities.
Inmates earn money – wages paid to them will be saved, providing them with financial support upon release.
Sentence reduction for good behavior – adopting best practices from other countries, prisoners who display exemplary conduct over six months could see their sentences reduced accordingly.
Chieftaincy Disputes, Religious Interventions
The minister did not limit his concerns to the prison system. He also highlighted the pressing issue of chieftaincy disputes in Ghana, stating that over 200 of such conflicts are currently unresolved. He also condemned the vandalizing of some churches during the ban on noise making by some traditional leaders.
“You can enforce the ban on noise-making, but it doesn’t prevent the church from having its services. The church service is the singing, worship, and praises, just like you cannot prevent the Muslims from calling the Azan.’’
Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Minister of Interior
Hon. Muntaka also revealed a major operation that led to the repatriation of 107 Chinese nationals involved in fraudulent activities in Ghana. According to him, these individuals operated from Namibia Estates, running a large-scale fraud syndicate that targeted unsuspecting victims across Africa.
He indicated that they got a tip-off and arrested 170 people, including 185 Ghanaians who were aiding them, as well as Filipinos and Ugandans. He emphasized that he ensured that all the 107 Chinese nationals were deported.
This crackdown underscores the government’s commitment to tackling international crime syndicates operating in Ghana.
Concern Over High Muslim Inmate Population
A particularly troubling issue raised by the minister was the disproportionately high number of Muslim youths in Ghana’s prisons.
“Currently, Ghana has a prison population of about 13,997 inmates, with approximately 900 being foreigners. If you look at the Ghana Statistical Service’s population census report, the percentage of Muslims in this country does not match the high number of Muslim inmates in our prisons.’’
Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Minister of Interior
He attributed this to socio-economic factors, peer influence, and criminal activities often associated with youth from Zongo communities.
“It is sad for me to say, sometimes 100% of them are coming from Zongo communities.’’
Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Minister of Interior
The minister called on Muslim leaders to instill discipline among the youth and mentor them towards productive and law-abiding lives.
Hon. Muntaka’s remarks paint a stark picture of the challenges facing Ghana’s criminal justice system. From overcrowded prisons to chieftaincy conflicts and foreign criminal networks, his message was clear—there is an urgent need for collaborative solutions.
The deliberations between the government and key stakeholders are expected to foster peace, social cohesion, and long-term solutions for Ghana’s justice and correctional system.
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