Government officials have initiated talks on the possible relocation of the Kumasi Central Prisons as part of a broader strategy to tackle congestion in both the correctional facility and the city of Kumasi.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, disclosed that although the proposal has not yet been formally presented to President Mahama, preliminary engagements are ongoing.

The revelation follows a recent visit by Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, during which the dire conditions at the prison—including overcrowding and health risks—were closely examined.

Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene in white

The Kumasi Central Prisons, originally built to accommodate 500 inmates, is currently housing more than 1,700, placing immense strain on both infrastructure and personnel.

“Thankfully, before today, the Interior Minister was here. We held an extensive discussion on some of the challenges faced by inmates and prison officers here at the Kumasi Central Prisons and also as a region,” Dr Amoakohene stated.

He emphasized that part of the discussions focused on alleviating pressure on the facility: “We discussed, among others, plans to be able to decongest the prison, which is key in making sure that you provide a very conducive environment for your work.”

According to him, relocating the prison has emerged as one of the viable options under consideration.

“Additional things that have come up are a possible relocation of the central prisons so that we can have adequate land space and be able to, as it were, free the city and be able to, as it were, decongest the central prisons,” he said.

“These discussions are ongoing, and President Mahama definitely would have a say on that, and we’ll be sure what we want to do so far as the central prisons are concerned,” the Minister added.

Should the relocation be approved, it would not only enhance living and working conditions within the prison but also align with long-term efforts to ease congestion in the urban centre of Kumasi.