Kumasi, April 20, – Inadequate educational infrastructure in prisons is limiting inmates’ access to formal learning and weakening efforts at rehabilitation.
The 1992 Constitution guarantees equal access to education under Article 25(1), while Article 25(1b) mandates free and compulsory basic education for all. However, visits to selected prisons in the Ashanti Region revealed a lack of dedicated classrooms and learning spaces, particularly affecting younger inmates.
Although some prison officers improvise learning areas, inmates are often restricted to a narrow range of courses that may not reflect their academic interests or career aspirations.
Article 205(2) of the Constitution tasks the Ghana Prison Service with ensuring the welfare, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, including access to education.
Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Mr Richard Bukari, Public Relations Officer of the Kumasi Central Prison, acknowledged the challenges, describing education as a critical tool for inmate reform.
“Inmates’ access to formal education is not at the level we desire, though some progress has been made,” he said.
He cited inadequate infrastructure and limited teaching resources as major constraints, noting that these challenges discouraged many inmates from enrolling in educational programmes.
CSP Bukari disclosed that the Kumasi Central Prison Reformation School was unable to register candidates for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) due to poor preparation linked to infrastructure deficits.
Currently, 44 inmates are enrolled as students, including 21 at the Junior High School level and 23 at the Senior High School level.
While JHS students study a full complement of 11 subjects, SHS students are limited to eight subjects, comprising core courses—English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies—and electives such as Economics, Christian Religious Studies, Geography and Government.
He called for urgent government investment in prison education infrastructure, including the construction of dedicated school facilities near correctional centres.
CSP Bukari also proposed extending free tertiary education opportunities to inmates and encouraging universities to develop specialised programmes for long-term prisoners.
He stressed that improving access to education in prisons would help reduce illiteracy and reoffending, while enhancing inmates’ chances of successful reintegration into society.
GHBUSS
April 20, 2026
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