- Ghanaian prisons currently feed inmates on just GHC1.80 per day, considered far below acceptable standards.
- The government has approved an increase to GHC5 per inmate per day, although funds are not yet available.
- Poor feeding has been identified as a leading factor in prison unrest and riots, endangering officers.
- Authorities are supplementing food with prison gardens, fish ponds, and donations from churches.
- Officials plan to review the allowance in 2026 to better meet the needs of prisoners.
- Improvements in inmate welfare are tied to broader public safety and national security goals.
Prison authorities in Ghana are set to increase the daily feeding allowance for inmates from GHC1.80 to GHC5. The current allowance has long been criticized as insufficient, contributing to unrest and riots in various correctional facilities.
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Despite the approval of the higher allowance by the government, the funds have yet to be released. Until then, prisons continue to rely on supplemental food sources, including small gardens, fish ponds, and donations from churches, to sustain inmates.
Poor nutrition in prisons has been identified as a major factor behind inmate dissatisfaction, which often escalates into dangerous riots that put officers at risk.
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The new allowance is expected to reduce tensions and enhance the overall well-being of prisoners.
Looking ahead, authorities aim to review the GHC5 allowance in 2026 to ensure it better meets the needs of inmates.
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Broader reforms to improve living conditions, food quality, and welfare are being prioritized, with officials linking these changes to national security and public safety considerations.