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K’si Central Prison inmates show prowess at AshantiFest 2025
Soap, slippers, beads, kente cloth, and other handcrafted goods made by inmates of the Kumasi Central Prisons took a centre stage during this year’s Ashanti Festival/AshantiFest, a celebration that also highlighted major challenges facing the overpopulated correctional facility.
Held last Thursday, the fourth day of AshantiFest was dedicated to the Kumasi Central Prison, which hosted the event on prison grounds.
Amoakohene with some of the Prisons
Officers at Ashantifest
As part of the festival, inmates exhibited a wide range of products they had made through vocational training programmes aimed at reforming and equipping them for life after incarceration.
The public turned out in numbers to purchase the products, which included liquid soap, slippers, bags, kente cloth, and beads. Prison officers also entertained guests with vibrant jama songs and live band performances.
Amid the cultural display, Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, announced that the government was considering relocating the Kumasi Central Prison from its current site in Adum.
Built in 1901 and last expanded in 1935 to hold 500 inmates, the facility now houses nearly 2,000 — creating severe overcrowding and health concerns.
Dr. Amoakohene explained that the relocation would allow for improved infrastructure and the expansion of training facilities to support inmate rehabilitation.
“This fits into the government’s ‘Feed the Country’ programme, allowing us to not only reform inmates but also contribute to food production and national development,” he said.
Kumasi Central Prisons Commander, DDP, James B. Mwinyelle, urged the public to support reformed inmates and help them reintegrate into society.
“All the inmates here will one day leave the four walls of this prison,” he said. “Let’s not discriminate against them when they do,” he stated.
He also appealed for private sector partnerships to scale up training initiatives.
“We produce FDA-approved sachet water and run several skills programmes. With support, we can do more to ensure inmates leave here with employable skills,” he added.
As part of the event, medical screening was provided for inmates, while MTN and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital held a blood donation drive.
Donors encouraged Ghanaians to participate in similar exercises to save lives.
Moreover, the Ashanti Regional Minister also shared recent improvements to the prison’s health centre, including a new roof, tiling, air conditioning, and medical equipment.
AshantiFest, spearheaded by Dr. Amoakohene, aims to promote Ashanti culture, boost the local economy through support for locally made products, and help revive the Kumawood movie industry.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
