Ghana Prisons Service investigates alleged poisoning plot against Chairman Wontumi

The Ghana Prisons Service has initiated a formal investigation into allegations that inmates attempted to poison Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the convicted former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman known as Chairman Wontumi, while he serves his sentence at a Ghanaian correctional facility.

The probe was triggered after Wontumi's spokesperson alerted prison authorities to the alleged plot, rather than through a direct complaint from Wontumi himself. Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Abdul Latif, confirmed the development, stating that investigators are working to verify the claims and determine appropriate responses if evidence emerges.

"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," CSP Latif explained. "We have set up investigations to launch investigations into the matter, to find out first and foremost the truth in that matter."

Security and Prison Conditions

Prison authorities have moved to reassure the public that Wontumi remains secure within the facility and that his welfare is being prioritised. CSP Latif emphasised that such poisoning incidents are exceptionally rare in Ghanaian prisons, though the service is treating the allegation with appropriate seriousness given the gravity of the claim.

"I can't even remember the last time we reported such an incident of inmates trying to poison fellow inmates or even officers," CSP Latif stated. "But because we are dealing with human beings, we took it and we are investigating it to find out the truth in it."

The Prisons Service rejected reports that five inmates had been moved from their cells following the alleged incident, with the spokesperson unable to confirm such transfers. Officials also pushed back against suggestions that Wontumi is receiving preferential treatment, insisting that all prisoners are bound by identical rules and regulations regardless of their background or notoriety.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Wontumi's case remains politically sensitive in Ghana, reflecting broader concerns about the treatment of high-profile political detainees and prison security. The former regional chairman is currently serving a 20-year sentence for permitting mining activities on his Samreboi mining concession without authorisation from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources—a conviction that sparked considerable debate about the fairness and consistency of prosecutions involving prominent political figures.

The poisoning allegation also highlights deeper systemic challenges within Ghana's prison system. The Ghana Prisons Service disclosed that Nsawam Prison, designed to accommodate approximately 851 inmates, currently holds more than 3,000 detainees. This severe overcrowding creates considerable risks to inmate safety and security, making investigations into alleged attacks between prisoners increasingly necessary.

The outcome of this investigation will likely influence perceptions of how the Prisons Service handles security threats involving politically prominent prisoners and may raise questions about whether the facility's overcrowding contributes to such incidents. For Ghanaians following the case, the findings will be watched closely as an indicator of both institutional competence and fairness in the criminal justice system.