The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights is urging government to increase the daily feeding allowance for prisoners from GH¢1.80 to GH¢5, describing the current amount as “woefully inadequate” and outdated.
Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, noted that the GH¢1.80 daily rate—used to provide three meals per inmate has remained unchanged for over 12 years.
“Committee members raised concerns on how the service is able to manage this rate for these adults,” he said in an interview with Prime News on ABC News GH.
Hon. Anim emphasized that the proposed increase, though still modest, would be a giant improvement under prevailing economic conditions.
“We are considering raising it to GH¢5 per day. We feel it’s roughly inadequate but it will be a giant step,” he stated.
The Committee also recommended institutionalizing a mechanism for regular reviews of the rate.
“This current rate has been in existence for over 12 years. We are pushing for at least an annual review, two years review, or something that is going to work for the service,” he added.
The Committee’s push follows a recent visit to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, where it was revealed that the prison owes nearly GH¢500,600 in outstanding medical bills.
Anim expressed concern over the facility’s growing debt to the National Health Insurance Scheme and other providers. “These are issues we need to bring up in front so government can immediately intervene,” he said.
The Committee has also pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure every prisoner is covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
