Interior Minister-designate, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has raised concerns about the GH¢1.80 daily feeding fee per inmate in Ghana’s prisons.
The nominee described the amount as grossly insufficient, even to cater for pets, calling it inhumane.
“I was shocked when I heard that the feeding ration for a prisoner in Ghana is GH¢1.80 for the entire day. I doubt, with the greatest respect, that even cats and dogs in our homes are fed with such small amounts. How can we, in good conscience, feed our fellow citizens – who, for one mistake or another, are being rehabilitated – with GH¢1.80 and expect them to stay healthy?” he questioned.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, the Asawase MP pledged to review the fee if approved.
“It’s a very serious issue, and I assure my colleagues that I will pay attention to it and address it,” he pledged.
In addition to the feeding fee, Alhaji Muntaka also highlighted accommodation challenges, pointing to severe overcrowding in the prisons.
“We are putting them in conditions where they are likely to become more criminalized than when they went in. That is why I give assurance that I will pay attention to the prisons,” he said.