The Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called for the construction of prison hostels to allow inmates to receive conjugal visits from their spouses.
The proposal was disclosed by Lawson TV/FM morning show host, Kwame Tanko, following a visit to Chairman Wontumi at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
Speaking on Lawson TV on October 26, 2026, Kwame Tanko revealed details of his conversation with the former Ashanti Regional Chairman during the visit, where prison reform was at the centre of their discussion.
According to Kwame Tanko, Chairman Wontumi advocated for a more humane prison system that recognizes the emotional and family needs of inmates. He reportedly suggested that the Ghana Prisons Service should consider building dedicated hostel facilities within prison enclosures where inmates’ wives and husbands could visit them under regulated conditions.
Kwame Tanko quoted Chairman Wontumi as saying that such a policy would help preserve marriages, improve the mental well-being of inmates, and contribute to their reformation and reintegration into society.
Chairman Wontumi, who has been at the Nsawam Prison in recent times, is said to have shared his personal observation of prison life and the need for reforms that focus on rehabilitation rather than just incarceration.
The call has since sparked public conversation about prison reforms in Ghana, particularly on issues of inmates’ welfare, family ties, and international best practices where conjugal visits are permitted in some jurisdictions under strict supervision.
The Ghana Prisons Service is yet to officially comment on the proposal.
Meanwhile, the revelation by Kwame Tanko continues to generate mixed reactions among the public, with some describing it as a progressive call for humane prison reforms, while others have called for broader stakeholder consultation on the matter.
