Refurbish Prisons for NPP Top Men

Parliament was on 24 July 2003 momentarily thrown into a state of hysterical laughter when the member for Ho Central, Mr. Kofi Attoh, made a suggestion to the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyeman, to refurbish the country's prisons for use by the NPP ministers when they lose power in the 2004 elections.

"Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest to the honourable minister to provide sliding doors and carpets for the prisons for those who will be going there after the 2004 general elections."

This is in apparent reference to the arrest and detention of the NPP members of Parliament, ministers and officials who might be charged for causing financial loss to the state, should the NDC emerge victorious in 2004.

The minority MPs are full of confidence they would retain their seats and even reclaim those they lost in the 2000 elections.

Mr. Owusu Agyeman reacting, asked Attoh to start making the prisons more comfortable for the NDC members who may join their colleagues already there.

The minister was in the house to answer two questions that stood in the name of the member for Akwapim South, Mr. Seth Dankwa Wiafe. He wanted to know what plans the Interior Ministry had to improve the deteriorating conditions in the prisons and steps being taken to improve conditions in police cells as well as the payment of the medical bills, feeding and transportation of prisoners.

He said the government has provided an amount of ?635 million from the HIPC fund to change all pan latrines into water closets and for the improvement of other facilities in the prisons.

Mr. Owusu Agyeman said his ministry is supporting programmes for the construction of prison camps to house those who have committed minor offences, while the walled prisons are reserved for offenders of major crimes.

The minister said it is the primary responsibility of the government to take care of the health needs of all prisoners, while prison authorities pay for their drugs and treatment.

To another question which was asked by the member for Asuogyaman, Mr. Dwamena Bekoe, the minister said plans are afoot to renovate the Akosombo fire service station and equip it.