News
‘Lack of balanced diet poses threat to prisoners’
The Medical Director and Superintendent at Nsawam Prisons Clinic, Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Dr Lawrence Kofi Acheampong, says lack of balanced diet poses risk to prison inmates across the country, thereby making them susceptible to COVID-19.
He said the current amount of GH₵1.80 was not enough to provide balanced diets for inmates, stressing that “there is the need for the government to increase the daily GH₵1.80 feeding rate per inmate.
DSP Dr Acheampong made the observations here yesterday when he interacted with officers and inmates of the Kumasi Central Prison, to look at implications and management of COVID-19 in prisons.
The event was facilitated by Protector of Sentiments (PoS) Foundation, as part of its campaign to educate prison inmates on the dangers of COVID-19.
DSP Dr Acheampong noted that people with low immune system were vulnerable to the virus, and so “it has become very important to improve on the diet of inmates in order to build their immune system, to avoid placing them at a lower risk in terms of contracting COVID-19”.
He said, “COVID-19 should never be under-estimated in prison facilities in the country, considering how congested the facilities were”.
The Executive Director of PoS, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, said that, the welfare of prison officers were equally important as that of the inmates, and called for proper care and incentives, like tax waivers to be given to the prison officers.
He lauded personnel of Ghana Prisons Service for their professionalism and selflessness in making sure that COVID-19 safety protocol was adhered to in the various prisons across the country, which prevented spread of the virus.
Mr Osei-Owusu appealed to the government to help set up a well equipped and standardised infectious disease centres in the northern and southern sectors of the country, for prison inmates.
The Ashanti Regional Commander of Prisons, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP), Samuel Owusu-Amponsah, encouraged officers to continue to show professionalism and selflessness in the discharge of their duties.
DDP Owusu-Amponsah urged personnel to observe COVID-19 safety protocol in and outside the prison facility.
The Ghanaian Times observed that safety protocol including sanitising and disinfecting gifts from visitors before releasing to inmates, officers not allowed to attend public functions, were being observed at the Kumasi Central Prison.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, has toured a leading solar energy facility in Canada following the submission of a Letter of Intent and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed 270MW solar power project in his constituency.
The MP was invited to Canada to inspect the operations and technology behind AKA Energy Systems, the company partnering with the Gomoa Special Economic Zone to develop the landmark renewable energy facility.
During the tour, Mr. Obeng was taken through the company’s advanced solar infrastructure, engineering processes, and long-term energy management systems.
Senior officials of AKA Energy Systems provided insights into how the technology can be adapted to meet Ghana’s power needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
“This project is not just about megawatts. It’s about energy security, industrialization, and jobs for the people of Gomoa Central,” Mr. Obeng said after the facility visit.
He added that “Seeing the technology firsthand confirms that solar can be a real solution for powering factories and homes reliably.”
The 270MW solar plant forms the energy backbone of the Gomoa Special Economic Zone, a project the MP says will position the area as a competitive hub for manufacturing and exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
According to Mr. Obeng, Africa’s industrial future hinges on solving the power problem first.
“Too many countries try to attract factories before fixing energy. We are determined not to put the cart before the horse. Before industries arrive, the power must already be here,” he explained.
He noted that the partnership with AKA Energy Systems reflects a deliberate shift toward clean, affordable, and sustainable energy to drive Ghana’s next phase of growth.
The MP added that the project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation, while also lowering electricity costs for businesses within the zone.
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it. With abundant, reliable, and affordable energy, Gomoa Central can become one of the most attractive industrial destinations in West Africa,” he concluded.
Negotiations on the final investment and implementation timeline for the 270MW facility are expected to continue in the coming months.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, in partnership with the Ga East Municipal Assembly, has begun rehabilitation works on the road leading to the Ga East Municipal Hospital to improve access and ease movement for residents and patients.
Speaking on the project, the DRIP Coordinator for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Seth Agboyie, said the team had already worked on the Kwabenya stretch and part of Ablaje under its road reshaping programme.
He explained that although work had to be paused at Ablaje due to pressure, the team returned to complete the current stretch.
He noted that last year, the assembly implemented a programme where teams moved into each electoral area for about ten days to reshape major roads before moving to other communities.
According to him, the current works are a special intervention targeting roads that have become severely damaged due to the rains.
Mr. Agboyie added that the project had faced some delays due to heavy rainfall but resumed when the weather improved.
He said the team is working on a 1.2-kilometre stretch, with about 720 to 730 metres already completed.
He revealed that the intervention was partly supported by a GHS 14,000 contribution from the health workers at the Ga East hospital, which helped facilitate the works.
Residents of Dome-Kwabenya welcomed the project and praised the MP for initiating the road rehabilitation.
They said the intervention was timely and would ease movement, especially for patients and residents who rely on the road to access the hospital.
They noted that the road leading to the hospital had been in a poor state for several years, making it difficult and uncomfortable for patients, drivers, and residents who use the facility.
They explained that the situation often caused delays in accessing healthcare and increased transport difficulties, especially during the rainy season.
Some residents, however, urged contractors to ensure quality work, warning that poorly executed roads often deteriorate quickly.
They called for durability in the construction to prevent a return to bad conditions.
Others also appealed for more development projects across the constituency, saying additional road improvements would further enhance living conditions and demonstrate continued commitment to the area.
By: Jacob Aggrey
