The authorities at the Navrongo Central Prison are urging the government to channel resources for food supply to the inmates directly to the Ghana Prisons Service in order to supply the right quantity and quality of food to the inmates.
They contend that giving it out to a contractor whose main aim is to make profit results in supplying below the approved budget.
Rev. DSP Bugri Joechim who represented the Upper East Regional Commander of the Prison Service revealed this to the Bolgatanga Central Zone one of the Ghana National Tailors and Dress makers Association when they presented some food items to the prison to address the food shortage at the Navrongo Central Prison.
The Navrongo Central Prison currently has an inmate population of 1,380 for different offences and sentences.
The main challenge at the prison aside from transportation for inmates to court for hearing is food. There is always a shortage of food at the prison due to the population of inmates and the small quantity of food supply to the prison with low quality.
According to Reverend DSP Bugri Joechim of the Navrongo Central Prison, the small quantity of food at the prison is as a result of the suppliers making huge profit out of the contract sum allocated to them.
“In fact, your donation came timely, it came at a time that we actually needed these food items to feed our brothers.
As we all know, the government is doing it best, but what the government provides is not enough to feed these, our brothers, 1,380 prisoners a day is not easy.
He continued “With the 1,380 prisoners, the expectation is that we give them breakfast, lunch, supper. Transportation and firewood are part of the budget.
On the issue of profit making by the suppliers, Reverend DSP Bugri Joechim said “And they (Government) don’t also pay the money straight to the prison’s authorities but rather pay it to a contractor. And the main aim of the contractor is also to make profit before he supplies the food to the inmates”.
Reverend DSP Bugri Joechim revealed that the prison relies solely on organizations, groups and other philanthropists to feed prisoners inside the prison.
To help address the food situation at the Prison, the Bolgatanga Central Zone one of the Ghana National Tailors and Dress makers Association led by its Chairman, Shaibu Karim Abok made an emergency presentation of food items and toiletries to the prison.
Items included bags of Sachet water, bags of Rice, cooking oil, toiletries, used Footwears and cash amount.
Mr. Shaibu Karim Abok on behalf of the Association called on the government to increase the allocation of funds to the Prison Service nationwide to address the food crisis.
The Association Chairman, pledged their readiness in supporting the prison with food items from time to time and as well called on other Associations and groups to support the inmates.
The current amount for feeding a prisoner in Ghana is GH¢1.80 for the whole day which many including law makers have described as ‘inhuman’ and cruel.
