The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has disclosed the government’s plan to relocate the Kumasi Central Prison from Adum.
According to the Minister, the move aims to address congestion issues and expand training facilities at the center for inmates. He made the disclosure during the celebration of the Ashanti Festival, also known as AshantiFest, held at the Prisons.
Day four of the Ashanti Festival, which fell on Thursday, 17th April 2025, was dedicated to the Kumasi Central Command to host the event at their premises.
The Prisons Command used the opportunity to exhibit and showcase products produced in the Prisons by inmates to the public as part of the reformation process.
Their products included liquid soap, kente cloth, beads, slippers, bags, among others, which were patronized by the public.
The prisons officers entertained the audience with jama songs and beautiful live band music performances.
Addressing the festival celebration, Kumasi Central Prisons Commander, Ing. James B. Mwinyelle, commended the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, for including the Kumasi Central Prisons in the AshantiFest programs.
He urged the general public not to discriminate against reformed and released prisoners, explaining that a number of inmates return to prison because of societal stigma and rejection.
“All the inmates here will one day leave the four walls of the prison,” he said. “Where do they go? Back to society.”
He admonished, “Let’s not discriminate against them when they leave here. If we don’t welcome them, they cannot fit in. One or two may feel that prison is their home, and they may reoffend and return a cycle we don’t want.”
He further explained that reformation, reintegration, and prison reform as a whole require society to play a key role, both before and after the state and the Prison Service have done their part.
“Our doors are open to you, the public. Visit the nearest prison, get to know what we do, and see how you can support us,” he said.
He added that the prison also engages in business and called for private partnerships. “Here at the Kumasi Central Prisons, we produce sachet water approved by the FDA. We do a lot of good things in our skills training area. Come and partner with us so we can train more inmates. That way, when they leave prison, they will have meaningful skills to become financially independent,” he appealed to the business community.
As part of the event, medical screening was conducted for the inmates inside the prison.
MTN, in partnership with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, also conducted a blood donation exercise to collect healthy blood to support lives at the referral facility.
The blood donors called on the general public to support such blood donation exercises whenever they are held in their areas to help save lives.
“I will entreat the public to also try to donate blood to save lives at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and other health facilities. Today, we are fit, but you don’t know when a brother or sister will be in dire need of blood. Before the medics collect your blood, they first screen you to confirm that you don’t have any condition. This exercise alone lets you know your health status,” Prince Yamoah said.
The Kumasi Central Prisons, constructed in 1901 and expanded in 1935 to accommodate 500 inmates, now houses close to 2,000 inmates—creating serious congestion and health crises.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, disclosed that the government has taken notice of the situation, including inadequate feeding grants, among other issues affecting the inmates.
He revealed that efforts are underway for the government to relocate the Kumasi Central Prisons from its current Adum location.
“Thankfully, before today, the Interior Minister, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed, was here to listen to your operational challenges, including feeding of the inmates. I have also met him, and we discussed decongestion plans to ensure we provide a very conducive environment for the inmates and prison management,” he said.
He added, “In our discussions as a government, one additional thing that came up is the possible relocation of the Kumasi Central Prisons so that we can acquire adequate land space. This fits into the government’s ‘Feed the Country’ programme, enabling us to produce food to feed ourselves and the country at large. The discussions are still ongoing, and President John Dramani Mahama will definitely have a say on the matter.”
Speaking on the health needs of the inmates, Dr. Frank Amoakohene said, “After I was made aware of the challenges the inmates and over 300 Prison Service staff face regarding their health center’s deteriorating state, we have reroofed the health center, installed ceiling, tiling, air conditioning, beds, and other essential equipment. I’m proud that the regional commander ensured the project’s completion. I’m personally proud of the commander and the work done.”
“As your Minister, I’m passionate about your needs, and I will always be there for you to support them,” he disclosed.
Pleased with the patronage, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene commended the management of Kumasi Central Prison for successfully hosting the festival’s health activities.
Ashanti Festival, also known as Ashanti-Fest, is the brainchild of Dr. Frank Amoakohene. It aims to promote Ashanti culture and locally produced goods to boost the regional economy and reignite the collapsed Kumawood industry.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ Isaac J.K Bediako
