God wants you to use some of your stolen money to decongest Nsawam Prison – Wontumi told

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Chairman Wontumi

Bullgod, a Ghanaian entertainment executive, has told the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to use some of his alleged stolen resources to support efforts to decongest the Nsawam Prison.

According to Bullgod, Wontumi, who is advocating reforms to Ghana’s prison system following a 20-year sentence, should begin with interventions that do not require parliamentary approval.

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He argued that Wontumi could contribute to addressing congestion and other infrastructure challenges at the prison.

Speaking on the Classy Morning Show on Class 91.3 FM, hosted by DJ Slim, Bullgod stated, “He is not poor, right? So he should start the things he can do on his own and start pushing and advocating for parliamentary ratification”.

“If you have some money, put it into the plantation idea you have,” he urged Wontumi, adding that “that man (Wontumi) has money. I’m sure that the money that he is said to have allegedly stolen, maybe God wants him to use it for such a job where he is”

Bullgod further noted that the Nsawam Prison, which was built to accommodate about 800 people, now houses close to 4,000 inmates, adding that prison authorities would welcome support for a farm or the construction of additional prison infrastructure.

He, however, backed Wontumi’s broader prison reform proposals “a hundred per cent,” particularly his call for conjugal visitation.

Bullgod further noted that for Wontumi’s demand for conjugal visitation, he would need Parliament, saying, “For the conjugal part, he would need Parliament. He has to go through the laws”.

His comment follows Wontumi’s reflections from prison after 100 days at Nsawam Prison, calling for several reforms in Ghana’s prison system after 100 days in custody.

Wontumi is calling for improved healthcare, better living conditions, inmate rehabilitation and investment in correctional facilities.

Read his reflection below:

“RE: CHAIRMAN WONTUMI’S REFLECTIONS FROM PRISON – CALLS FOR DEDICATED PRISON HOSPITAL, CONJUGAL VISITATION, AND TOTAL REFORM

Following my consistent visits to Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) since his remand on July 20th, 2026, I wish to share his full reflections on the state of Ghana’s prisons and his humble appeal for urgent reforms.

Chairman Wontumi notes that his incarceration has been a period of deep reflection. He has had first-hand interaction with prison officers, inmates, and the conditions under which the Ghana Prison Service operates – a system he says has seen little structural improvement since 1962.

He emphasizes that “Not all prisoners are prisoners” and that our correctional system must move from punishment to true reform, welfare and productivity.

His detailed observations and appeals:

  1. Prison Officers’ Welfare and Pay
    Calls on government to urgently review pay, accommodation and conditions of service for prison officers.
  2. Dedicated Prison Hospital
    No dedicated, well-equipped prison hospital, no ambulance, no standby generator in many prisons. Seriously sick inmates with terminal illnesses including tuberculosis are managed under difficult conditions. He calls for construction of a dedicated, ultra-modern Prison Hospital for all facilities, and in the interim, emergency linkage with 37 Military Hospital and Police Hospital.
  3. Classification of Inmates
    Minor offenders sleep with armed robbery convicts. Persons on trial for treason and terrorism are mixed with ordinary inmates – a security risk.
  4. Youth, Defilement and Behavioural Concern
    Majority are young men 18-35 years for defilement cases. He observes that due to prolonged incarceration and lack of counselling, these cases often end up engaging in same-sex activities and becoming gays and lesbians within prison. Calls for proper classification and counselling.
  5. Family and Conjugal Visitation
    Calls for a dedicated private area for spouses and children to visit. It is the prisoner who is in prison, not the children or spouse. Regulated visitation for love and intimacy will reduce tension, preserve marriages and aid reformation.
  6. Overcrowding and Infectious Diseases
    Inmates with tuberculosis sleep with healthy inmates.
  7. LGBTQI+ Management
    Calls for clear policy direction on LGBTQI+ classification.
  8. Prison Agriculture
    Service has vast lands and skilled labour but only one tractor for food and garbage. Pleads with Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms.
  9. Justice Sector Collaboration
    Regional Prison Commanders should be included in jury and justice deliberations because “the real job begins after judgement.”
  10. Infrastructure
    Since 1962 little investment apart from pure water production. Calls on government and private sector to build ultra-modern facilities and factories.
  11. Parliamentary Involvement – Key to Reform:

Chairman Wontumi makes a special appeal to Parliament of Ghana for these changes to happen. He calls on:

1. The Speaker of Parliament to lead the conversation on prison reform as a matter of human rights and national development.

2. The Majority Caucus and Minority Caucus to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass a new Prison Reform Act, approve budgetary allocation for a dedicated Prison Hospital, ambulance service, generators, and agricultural equipment.

3. The Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to pay working visits to prisons across the country to see conditions firsthand.

He believes that without Parliament – Majority and Minority working together with the Speaker – the needed legal and budgetary reforms cannot happen.

  1. Continental Lesson
    African prisons must change – even the name must change. Ghana can lead Africa.

“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.”

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