National Assembly of Zambia commends Ghana Prisons Service.

The Ghana Prisons Service has been commended for its best practices and operations in ensuring safe custody, welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates in the country’s prisons.

Brigadier- General Morgan S. Sitwala (Rtd.) made this assertion when he led an 11-member parliamentary delegation of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly of Zambia, to pay a courtesy call on the Director-General of Prisons (DGP), Mr. Isaac Kofi Egyir, last Thursday at the Prisons Headquarters in Accra.

According to the Chairman of the Committee, Brigadier General (Rtd) Morgan S. Sitwala, who is also a member of Zambian Parliament (MP), the committee’s visit to Ghana was to have a first-hand knowledge on some best practices and operational management of the Ghana Prisons Service for a possible adaptation in the Zambian prisons system, to help decongest and improve upon the welfare and healthcare needs of inmates. 

He commended the Ghana Prisons Administration for the introduction of the Paralegal unit, and the Justice for All Programme which speed up trial of remand prisoners with the view to reducing the prison population.

‘I also want to commend the management of the Ghana Prisons Service on their efforts in managing the feeding rate and healthcare needs of inmates. I therefore want to also suggest the introduction of the parole system in Ghana and Zambia and parts of Africa to help decongest the prisons’, Brigadier Gen. (rtd.) Sitwala stated.

In his welcome address, DGP Isaac Kofi Egyir expressed his joy for the visit, and acknowledged the support of government in managing the prisons. He stated that agriculture in the prisons also compliments the funds allocated by government for the feeding of prison inmates and therefore stressed on the need to adopt it.

DGP Egyir added that, in order to provide quality healthcare services, inmates are enrolled on the national health insurance scheme and all medical expenses are borne by the government. 

The committee also paid a working visit to the Senior Correctional center and the James Camp Prison in Accra to familiarize themselves with the operations and management of the facilities. 

Present at the meeting were the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare and Human Resource Development, Mr. Francis Omane Addo; Director of Prisons in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Akolbire; the Director of Prisons in charge of Agriculture, Mr.Hanson Adu Awuku; the Financial Controller of GPS, Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Branford Hama; the General Staff Officer of the Prisons Headquarters, ADP. Isahaku Yahaya; and the Acting Commanding Officer of the Prisons Headquarters, ADP. Nathaniel Agyemang Onyinah.

Other members of the Zambian delegation were Ms. Sibongile Mwamba (Vice Chairperson), Mr. Cliff Mambwe Mpundu, Mr. Lusale John Simbao, Mr. Sipho Hlazo, Mr. Philimon Twasa, Mr. Wasula Mulaliki, Mr. Christopher Chibuye, and Mr. Evans Chilongu.