Prison Must Refine, Not Ruin Convicts- Otumfuo

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that prisons are correctional centres that must refine and make convicts better persons after serving their sentences and not ruin their lives.

As such, His Majesty believes that Ghana’s detention centres must align with this cause to offer hope of a better life.

“At the end of their sentence, they must be endowed with skills to continue living their lives,” Otumfuo said during a courtesy call by the heads of Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service on July 25, 2025.

Challenges
In her speech, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ.), sought the intervention of the King to construct a wall around their new prison centre at Ejura; get machinery to cultivate a 150-acre land donated to them; and acquire land at Ejisu for a manufacturing hub.

“Under the new dispensation, we want to mechanise Agric and do serious industrialisation. The prisoners have vocational and technical skills, but we realised that we are unable to tap into them for the needed benefit.”

She also requested the King’s intervention to deal with the staff accommodation challenges.

For her part, the Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong, relayed plans to expand fire stations across the region.

She appealed to the Asantehene to help secure government support for machinery acquisition.

Blessings
Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, DCI Samuel Basentale Amadu, sought the blessings of the King.

“It was important that I come and seek the blessings of the Asantehene to be successful in my tenure. I need his counsel to do the work.”

Welcome
Otumfuo welcomed the submissions of the leaders and directed them to officially write to his office for the needed attention.

His Majesty underscored the importance of the mandate reposed in them to the safety and welfare of the country and affirmed his unflinching support to facilitate their mandates.

“You were appointed for a reason, and I believe it’s by merit. Put all your requests on paper for me, and I will do all I can to help you. I will engage the government on the ones that need its intervention.”

He also encouraged them to collaborate with their respective subordinates to implement the needed reforms and measures to make the country a haven.