‎President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the country’s correctional system, declaring that “prison is not a place to wish your enemy,” as he pledged government support for sweeping reforms under the Ghana Prisons Service.

‎The President made the remarks on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, when he received the Ghana Prisons Service Council at the Presidency, Jubilee House, where discussions centered on the urgent need to improve conditions within the country’s prisons.

‎The delegation, led by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, briefed the President on the current state of correctional facilities across the country, highlighting critical challenges facing both inmates and officers, and calling for immediate interventions to support long-term transformation.

‎President Mahama assured the Council of government’s readiness to act on the concerns raised, stressing that prison reform remains a key priority of his administration.

‎“We will not turn a blind eye to the conditions in our prisons. Every inmate deserves dignity, and every officer deserves proper working conditions,” President Mahama said.

‎He also endorsed the “Think Prison, Think 360 Agenda,” describing it as a comprehensive approach to correctional reform that focuses on rehabilitation, reintegration, and improved welfare for inmates and prison staff.

‎The agenda seeks to reposition the Ghana Prisons Service from a purely custodial institution to a rehabilitative system that better supports re-entry into society.

‎Council Chairman Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi and the Director-General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, were among the officials who formed part of the delegation.

‎They expressed appreciation for the President’s commitment and confidence that the proposed reforms would significantly improve conditions within the nation’s correctional facilities.

‎The Ghana Prisons Service Council is expected to continue stakeholder engagements as part of efforts to develop a roadmap for the implementation of the “Think 360” reform agenda.

‎Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan