Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has reportedly called on Ghana’s prison authorities to consider introducing designated facilities for conjugal visits by married inmates.
The proposal, which reportedly seeks to allow prisoners to spend private time with their spouses during scheduled visits, was disclosed by broadcast journalist Kwame Tanko of Lawson Media following a visit to Wontumi at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
According to Tanko, Wontumi argued that imprisonment should not mean the complete loss of opportunities for inmates to maintain intimacy with their legally married partners.
He reportedly suggested the establishment of designated hostels or private cabins within prison facilities to accommodate such visits under regulated conditions.
Wontumi was said to have argued that prisoners remain human beings with emotional and biological needs, which prison management should consider as part of inmate welfare.
He also reportedly urged Ghana to examine the experiences of jurisdictions where conjugal visits are permitted under specific rules and security arrangements.
The proposal was further linked to concerns about alleged same-sex sexual activity in prisons, with Wontumi reportedly suggesting that opportunities for inmates to maintain intimacy with their spouses could help address the issue.
However, the suggestion raises broader questions about prison administration, including the legal framework for visitation, security requirements, infrastructure, supervision and the welfare of inmates.
Conjugal visits are not part of Ghana’s standard prison visitation arrangements. Any move to introduce them would therefore require policy consideration and appropriate safeguards by the relevant authorities.
The proposal, as reported by Tanko, adds to discussions about how Ghana’s correctional facilities can balance security and discipline with the welfare and personal needs of inmates.
