‘Health of inmates major concern to Ghana Prisons Service
Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Mr James B. Mwinyelle, Commander of the Wa Central Prisons, says the health of prison inmates is a major concern to management of the Ghana Prisons Service.
He said the Service was making frantic efforts despite its challenges to improve the welfare of inmates, particularly their health.
ADP Mwinyelle stated that the Wa Municipal Hospital had agreed to attach a Physician Assistant to the Wa Central Prisons Infirmary to help enhance healthcare delivery to the inmates.
He gave the assurance in Wa, the Upper West regional capital, when a philanthropist donated medical consumables worth about GHȻ2,000.00 to the Wa Central Prison.
ADP Mwinyelle stated that the prison administration was going through challenges in treating the inmates, including footing medical bills.
“Some of the inmates don’t get visited at all, so when they are sick the administration has a big headache taking them to the hospital, considering the cost involved,” ADP Mwinyelle indicated.
He, however, commended the Upper West Regional and the Wa Municipal hospitals and individuals and institutions that supported the prisons administration in treating and paying medical bills of inmates.
ADP Mwinyelle appealed to the public to assist the Ghana Prisons Service in taking care of inmates, including feeding and healthcare.
He advised members of the public to desist from stigmatising inmates who had served their prison terms, to enable them to reintegrate into society.
Mr Seidu Bomanjor, a broadcast journalist with GBC Radio in Upper West, presented the items on behalf of the philanthropist.
The journalist commended the Prison Commander and personnel of Wa Central Prisons taking care of the inmates.
He encouraged the prison’s management to take advantage of the many radio stations in the region to educate the public on effects of stigmatising inmates.
“People are freed, but they cannot go home, they can’t interact with the larger society and the relapse is that they go back to crime,” Mr Bomanjor lamented. —GNA
