This follows their interdiction by the Prisons Administration for investigation to be carried out.

The prisoner, Wang Xiao, 39, was in the care of the two wardens (names withheld) during dental check at the hospital when he escaped.

The Head of Public Relations at the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS), Superintendent of Prisons Adamu Latif Abdul disclosed this to the Ghanaian Times.

He stated that the two prison wardens, who were interdicted a week ago, have been handed over to the police for criminal investi­gations.

Supt Abdul Latif said per the Prisons Service records, the inmate was booked to attend hos­pital to be escorted by the guards.

It was reported that a Chinese inmate at the Nsawam Medium Prisons in the Eastern Region es­caped at the medical facility at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Xiao, who was said to beserv­ing a year jail term at the Nsawam Prisons for stealing, was reported to have been sick and needed medical care at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for dental services.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Head of Public Re­lations of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mustapha Salifu, sighted by the Ghanaian Times, confirmed that on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at about 8:00am, the inmate, Wang Xiao, visited the Dental Clinic of the hospital, accompa­nied by two prison wardens.

According to the statement, upon arrival, they noticed that the prisoner was without handcuffs and was not in the usual inmate attire.

It said at the registration unit,the inmate paid a fee of GH¢167 as a non-Ghanaian, and proceeded to the consulting room, where he was examined and an X-ray was requested to aid further management.

The statement revealed that Xiao, still without handcuff together with the prison wardens proceeded to have the X-ray taken.

It said after the X-ray,the inmate was given a brief on the medical procedure, which was

 estimated to cost GH¢606.

“However, he did not have sufficient funds to undergo treatment immediately, and he was, therefore, rescheduled to come back for the procedure on February 9, 2024,” the statement added.

It said the prisoner left the hospital in the company of the two prison wardens.

The statement revealed that the inmate had since not been seen until news about his escape was heard in sections of the media, and debunked reports that the prisoner escaped while receiv­ing care at the hospital.

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Elias Kipchumba Too, who was on a night shift, sneaked from his duty station with a G-3 rifle which he used to terminate his life.

Kitale Medium Prison Officer in charge, Julius Kaliakamur, confirmed the incident and said the 25-year-old constable did not leave behind any suicide note and did not show any sign of disturbance.

“Elias was on duty yesterday night. He then sneaked out with his firearm, later it was realised that he was not there and we got concerned. We rushed to his house in Lessos area and found him dead,” Kaliakamur said.

He revealed that the warden, who had been in service for three years, had sought for transfer that the Prisons Service was working on.

“Transfers are normal in service, we received his application for transfer and forwarded the same to the regional prison’s boss who was actually working on it,” he added.

He described the single officer as a cool person who executed his duties promptly and was shocked to learn about his painful action.

“In fact, we are still in disbelief because the officer was a very cool and sober person who we couldn’t imagine he could do such an act,” he said.

Although the motive behind his action has not been established, Immaculate Patricia Too’s caretaker said the warden could have taken his life due to workplace challenges.

She said the introverted warden had two months rent arrears and rarely did he host friends in his house.

“Too did not speak much. I realised he could be financially strained when he failed to pay his rent for two months although delays in paying of rent were common with him,” Immaculate said.

She called on the government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, to address the welfare of police officers.

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“We have heard of stories where officers commit suicide and others kill their loved ones due to depression and workplace challenges. The government should, therefore, intervene so that we don’t lose more officers,” she added.

The body of the late officer has been taken to Cherangany Nursing Home morgue awaiting autopsy.