Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak has voiced serious concerns over the growing issue of drug trafficking within Ghana’s prisons, attributing the problem to weak security systems and poor surveillance infrastructure. He warned that prisons are increasingly becoming hotspots for illegal drug trade due to the lack of modern monitoring tools.
Speaking to a group of Imams in the Ashanti Region on Thursday, April 3, the Minister highlighted that the absence of proper surveillance has allowed prisons to become breeding grounds for drug-related activities, posing a significant threat to national security.
He criticized the current security setup, noting that the lack of X-ray scanners means that contraband often goes undetected. “It’s unfortunate, but our prisons don’t even have basic X-ray scanners. Everyone entering or leaving is only subjected to hand checks, which are not enough. We need scanners so we can detect what people are bringing in or taking out,†he said.
Mubarak stressed that without advanced technology such as scanners and CCTV systems, prison authorities are unable to effectively combat the smuggling of drugs. He revealed plans to introduce these technologies to monitor prison activities more closely. Still, he acknowledged that technological upgrades alone won’t be enough and broader systemic issues must also be addressed.
“We’re working on introducing scanners and installing CCTV cameras in all prisons to improve oversight,†he noted.
Additionally, the Minister drew attention to the poor conditions within the prison system, especially the inadequate food budget for inmates. He pointed out that prisoners have been surviving on just 1 cedi 80 pesewas per day for three meals since 2011. “Even the school feeding programme now provides one meal at 2 cedis, yet we feed adults three times a day on less. Honestly, we feed our pets better than this,†he remarked.
In a related move, the Minister has also ordered the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to reassign all police commanders stationed in areas affected by illegal mining (galamsey), signaling further efforts to tackle national security issues.
20
20
20
Leave a Reply