Mahama Approves Increase in Prison Feeding Allowance from GH₵1.80 to GH₵5

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has revealed that President John Mahama has approved an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates. The amount, which previously stood at GH₵1.80 per prisoner, has now been raised to GH₵5. This move comes after longstanding complaints over inadequate resources to provide balanced and sufficient meals for inmates across the country.

Speaking before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie disclosed that although the increment has been approved, the Ministry is still awaiting the release of GH₵10 million to implement the last quarter’s feeding budget. She explained that while the Service had initially proposed GH₵10 per inmate, consultations resulted in a final approval of GH₵5. However, the actual disbursement of funds remains pending.

The Interior Ministry clarified that the increment is aimed at improving nutrition and reducing the financial burden on the Prisons Service, which has long struggled with feeding challenges. Poor funding has often resulted in inadequate meals for prisoners, drawing criticism from rights groups and advocacy organizations. The new increment is expected to ease some of these concerns and enhance the general welfare of inmates.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted that the Prisons Service has also launched the Director-General Kitchen Support Project to help supplement inmate meals. Under this initiative, prison facilities are encouraged to maintain gardens, poultry, fish ponds, and other small-scale farming projects to support feeding. She added that religious groups have occasionally contributed to feeding efforts as well, while the Service continues to push for the timely release of approved funds.