President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the need for Ghana’s prisons to go beyond their traditional role of confinement and serve as institutions for rehabilitation and transformation.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed heads of key security agencies, he underscored the importance of reforming the correctional system to focus on rehabilitation rather than mere punishment.
According to President Mahama, true justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing but also about offering offenders a path to redemption.
The president made these remarks while officially inducting DDGP 3 Patience Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong as the Chief Fire Officer, and DCI Samuel Basentale Amadu as the Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service.
Their appointments, announced on March 14, 2025, mark a critical step in the government’s ongoing security sector reforms. President Mahama expressed confidence in the newly appointed officials, urging them to build on past successes and implement much-needed reforms.
Addressing the new Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving prison conditions and ensuring that inmates receive training and rehabilitation opportunities.
“Prisons should not merely be a place of confinement, but an institution for transforming criminals. We must create an environment where offenders can be reformed and reintegrated into society as productive citizens,” he stated.
The reshuffling of leadership in Ghana’s security agencies, including the recent appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Inspector General of Police, reflects the government’s broader vision of enhancing law enforcement, national security, and public safety.
The new heads are expected to bring fresh perspectives, foster discipline, and drive efficiency in their respective agencies.