Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a senior aide to former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has alleged that some prison inmates attempted to poison the politician.
According to Palgrave, Wontumi had informed him of the alleged incident when he appeared in court on Tuesday.
He further disclosed that prison authorities had initiated investigations to establish the facts.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM as Wontumi marked 100 days in prison, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah stated, Chairman is okay. We haven’t received any medical reports from the doctors. But I have received indications that over the past week, some prison inmates attempted to poison him”.
“And so I’ve been informed that there are some investigations that are ongoing to make sure that they verify the truth or otherwise of that,” he added.
He further revealed that he had also spoken to the prison commander, who reassured him that the matter was being investigated.
“He mentioned that to me today when he came to court, and I have spoken to the commander, and the commander said he has asked them to investigate the matter, so he will come back to me on that issue. This attempted poisoning of his life happened a few days ago,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman Wontumi, the former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, has proposed a 12-point plan to reform Ghana’s prison system.
Wontumi is calling for improved healthcare, better living conditions, inmate rehabilitation and investment in correctional facilities.
It will be recalled that Wontumi has been in prison since July 20 and believes the system needs a shift towards rehabilitation, productivity and inmate welfare, alongside improved conditions of service for prison officers.
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to Wontumi, in a statement issued on his behalf on October 27, 2026, outlined his concerns and proposed a 12-point document for consideration.
Wontumi’s proposals cover healthcare, inmate classification, family visits, agricultural production, infrastructure and legislative reforms.
See the proposal below:
1. Address overcrowding and infectious diseases
Wontumi is calling for urgent measures to address overcrowding and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in prisons.
He expressed concern over reports that inmates with tuberculosis share sleeping spaces with healthy prisoners, urging authorities to improve sanitation and provide safer living conditions.
2. Establish a dedicated prison hospital
The NPP man has proposed an ultra-modern hospital to provide medical care to inmates nationwide.
He cited inadequate healthcare facilities, ambulances and standby generators in some prisons as obstacles to managing serious illnesses. As an interim measure, he suggested emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
3. Classify inmates according to offences and security risks
Wontumi has also proposed that inmates be separated according to their offences and security risks.
He argued that minor offenders should not be housed alongside convicted armed robbers, while persons facing serious charges, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately classified.
4. Strengthen counselling and rehabilitation
The former NPP chairman has called for improved counselling and rehabilitation programmes, particularly for young inmates.
Raising concerns about young men aged between 18 and 35 serving time for defilement-related offences, he stressed the need for appropriate classification and behavioural support within the prison system.
5. Introduce regulated family and conjugal visits
Wontumi has proposed designated private spaces where inmates can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated family and conjugal visits could help preserve relationships, reduce emotional strain and support rehabilitation.
6. Establish clear policies for LGBTQI+ inmates
Wontumi also urged authorities to develop clear guidelines for the classification, accommodation and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within correctional facilities.
7. Improve prison officers’ welfare
Wontumi has appealed to the Mahama government to review the salaries, accommodation and conditions of service of Ghana Prisons Service officers, arguing that their welfare is essential to effective prison administration.
8. Equip prison farms
Also, Wontumi has called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide prison farms with agricultural machinery and other resources.
According to him, the Prisons Service has access to land and labour but lacks adequate equipment. He cited the reported availability of only one tractor for farming and waste-management activities.
9. Modernise prison infrastructure and establish factories
Wontumi has called for increased government and private-sector investment in modern prison facilities and factories.
He says that the prison system had seen limited structural improvement since 1962 and argued that investment could improve living conditions while creating vocational training and productive opportunities for inmates.
10. Involve prison commanders in justice-sector deliberations
Also, Wontumi has proposed involving regional prison commanders in relevant jury-related and justice-sector deliberations, arguing that their experience managing offenders should inform discussions about the correctional process.
11. Pass a new Prison Reform Act
Wontumi has appealed to the Speaker of Parliament and the Majority and Minority caucuses to collaborate on passing a new Prison Reform Act.
He wants the legislation to support funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulances, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
He also urged parliamentary select committees responsible for Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to visit prisons nationwide to assess conditions.
12. Position Ghana as a leader in African prison reform
Wontumi believes Ghana can lead efforts to transform prison systems across Africa, advocating a shift from punishment towards rehabilitation, welfare and productivity. He also suggested reconsidering the terminology used to describe prisons.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, he questioned whether the current system was achieving its rehabilitative purpose.
“At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana,” he said.
Wontumi urged the Mahama government, Parliament and key justice-sector institutions to treat his 12-point proposal as a national priority, stressing that improved healthcare, better living conditions and effective rehabilitation are essential to protecting inmates’ welfare.
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