Economy

    Stonebwoy urges GHS 5 feeding hike for inmates

    Dancehall star visits Kumasi prison, highlights inadequate government support for detainees.

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    Renowned dancehall artiste Livingstone Etse Satekla, known as Stonebwoy, has publicly called for an increase in the daily feeding allowance for inmates across Ghana's prisons. He made this appeal after witnessing the rationing of food for detainees at the Kumasi Central Prisons. Stonebwoy expressed concern over the small amount of money provided by the government for inmate meals. He stressed that this is a humanitarian issue requiring deliberate measures and broader support. "It is all of us who have to continue to highlight some of these pertinent issues," Stonebwoy stated. He hopes the government can find the capacity to increase funding to meet these essential needs. The musician also committed to continued support for the inmates. The government currently spends approximately GHS 40 million annually on feeding prison inmates. This figure was revealed by the Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak. He acknowledged that this budget is not enough to adequately care for the growing prison population. Recently, the government did implement an increase in the feeding allowance. It rose from GHS 1.80 per day for each prisoner to GHS 5.00 per day. Despite this significant jump, officials still consider the amount to be inadequate for proper nutrition. This situation reflects ongoing challenges in public resource allocation for correctional facilities and social welfare programs. Stonebwoy's intervention highlights the broader conversation about public welfare and the state of correctional facilities in Ghana. In recent years, discussions have frequently arisen regarding the financial strain on the prison system. Data from the Ghana Prisons Service often points to budget deficits that impact inmate welfare and rehabilitation programs. The annual operational cost for the prison service, including feeding, is a significant portion of the Ministry of the Interior's budget. The recent government increase, while substantial, still falls short of meeting perceived needs, indicating a persistent gap between funding and requirements. The Minister for Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, confirmed the annual expenditure of GHS 40 million on inmate feeding. He described the amount as inadequate. Stonebwoy's public appeal joins a chorus of voices advocating for better conditions within Ghanaian prisons. The dancehall artist's visit also included a donation of food items to the Kumasi Central Prisons. This action was part of his corporate social responsibility efforts. He also praised the Prisons Service for its skills training programs. The implications of this call extend to public discourse on criminal justice reform and resource allocation. Decisions on increasing the feeding allowance will require careful consideration of the national budget and competing priorities. Further support from the creative arts industry and other stakeholders could also be spurred by Stonebwoy's engagement. The Commander of the Kumasi Central Prisons, Deputy Director of Prisons James B. Mwinyelle, welcomed the initiative and hinted at future collaborations with Stonebwoy. The government will likely face continued pressure to address the financial shortfalls identified in the prison feeding program.

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