The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has announced plans to relocate the Kumasi Central Prisons in response to its severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions.
Located in Adum, Kumasi Central Prisons is one of Ghana’s most congested correctional facilities.
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While it was originally designed to accommodate between 200 and 800 inmates, it currently houses an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 prisoners, according to various reports.
This overcrowding has resulted in deplorable living conditions, with limited access to sanitation, food, and healthcare. Human rights advocates have criticized these conditions for over a decade.
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Dr. Amoakohene’s announcement reflects earlier calls for action, including a 2023 appeal from Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (Chairman Coka), who emphasized the inhumane situation at the facility.
