The Ghana Prisons Service has launched an investigation into claims that some inmates attempted to poison convicted former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The Service says it received the information through Wontumi’s spokesperson, rather than a direct complaint from the politician himself.
Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Abdul Latif, confirmed the investigation in an interview, saying authorities were working to establish the facts surrounding the allegation.
“It’s something that the spokesperson of Wontumi drew the attention of the Prison authorities to. But let me repeat that, it’s not a complaint coming from Wontumi himself directly to the Prison authorities. It’s something that the PRO has said.
“So, by that, we have also set up investigations to launch investigations into the matter, to find out first and foremost the truth in that matter. And if it has any truth, then we will know the steps to take to avoid that,” he said.
CSP Latif said such incidents were uncommon in Ghanaian prisons but stressed that the allegation would be taken seriously.
“Let me state on record that I can’t even remember the last time we reported such an incident of inmates trying to poison fellow inmates or even officers. So, I can tell you that when this issue came up, we were a bit surprised. But because we are dealing with human beings, we took it and we are investigating it to find out the truth in it.”
He assured the public that Wontumi was safe and that his security remained a priority.
“But we can say that Wontumi is safe and there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to his security in the prison.”
The Prisons Service spokesperson also rejected claims that five inmates had been moved from their cells following the alleged incident, saying he could not confirm the report.
CSP Latif further dismissed suggestions that Wontumi was receiving special treatment in custody, insisting that all prisoners were subject to the same rules and regulations.
He pointed to overcrowding at Nsawam Prison, noting that a facility designed to accommodate about 851 inmates currently holds more than 3,000.
Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence for permitting mining activities on his Samreboi mining concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
The investigation is expected to establish whether the alleged poisoning attempt occurred and whether any further security measures are necessary.
