My visit to the local prison of Tamale, Ghana

In Tamale local prison 23 people are condemned to death.

Tamales oldest imprisoner is 74 years old and already stays in prison since 29 years. He is begging the President to release him from his penalty.

The kitchen. Prison personnel is providing food for 0,6 Ghana Cedis per day for each prisoner. This is about 30 Eurocent.

The wall deviding male and female prisoners from each other is covered with broken bottles.

Per barrack imprisoners of the Tamale local Prison share accomodation in at least 11 double bed.

Northern Region of Ghana for some decades now is bedeviled with frequent violent conflicts emanating from chieftaincy, religious and land disputes. As a result, several lives and property have been lost. The Conflict has also led to hunger, poverty and diseases. The Region is also the poorest among the ten (10) regions of Ghana. It is believed that as a result of the disputes, the majority of the people are possessing sophisticated weapons, even though they are poor. The area is also prone to some natural disasters like flood and heavy storms. About 75% of the people totaling -almost two million- are into agricultural businesses. Guinea Worm infection is also on the rise in the area-with the region accounting for 91% of the total Guinea Worm reported cases, according to the 2008 Ghana Guinea Worm Control Programme Report. Majority of the communities have no access to safe drinking water. The absence of peace in the Northern Region of Ghana has made it difficult for successive governments to implement action plans to address the prevailing problems to facilitate development. At the moment a Committee of three Eminent Chiefs chaired by King of Ashanti Region, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to find lasting solution to the chieftaincy cases in the area, including the 2002 Dagbon Chieftaincy crisis that led to the murder of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II and the 40 others.In Ghana faith plays a great role, also or possibly even more does it to imprisoned people.

“God willing we are happy now there is an amount of peace in our region. The way was long and also all is not over yet. At one day we can all look back. Do your best and I am prepared to support you,” the Ghanaian Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina, called the Senior Police Officers in a speech meeting on Friday, 3^rd July. The Department of Tamale was given a briefing in ways of managing to get a closer relation with the public using political correctness to better defeat the crime in town.

Sumani Nayina’s familiarization visit to the Police Headquarter in Tamale on 3^rd of July was a great hope. The Northern Regional Minister’s first visit within several decades was the chance to the executive branch to report environmental lacks and request improvements directly to manufacture long-term changes.

The discussed issues also concerned the Tamale Local Prisons, in which under bad conditions more than 250 imprisoned people, 241 man and ten women, rest for the end of their prison sentence, 23 of them condemned to death. In barrack-rooms with up to ten double beds male prisoners are accommodated on narrowest place.

The sun is burning hot on the Tamale Local Prison’s inner court which is located next to the male barracks. Hundred of men have come together, as many as possible here are hiding under a flat roof- sitting, waiting for the company of Steven Sumani Nayina and his Deputy Bukari Moses Mabengba.

Accompanied by the Prison Wardeners and a couple of journalists he is crossing the court, visiting the rooms and barracks, having a look on the conditions.

On the ground of one of the material stock court a razor blade is lying. I am calling the attention of a wardener to it, hinting the consequence this could have. He seems to feel embarrassed for it, telling another of the prison’s personnel to remove it.

When I am crossing the court –alone- greeting the men”Desba- good morning” who are looking at me, because the group following the Minister went through another door, an imprisoned man is coming towards me. Gently he asks if I was not scared. To be honest I have not thought about fearing the people yet, they are quite friendly, so I say no.

Also the “kitchen” is located on this place. When I enter there to take a picture several men are cheering, the fact is that I must be the first civilest woman in a while they see, in addition I am white- skinned, but despite to that everyone is respectful though.

The cooking chamber, a hut with wood lying around and huge saucepans standing on fire, men around scrambling in them with huge wooden sticks, is dark, two wire netted windows on each side give a little bit of light.

“And how is the food?” I ask Joseph, who is arrested for 6 years by now because of an argument he had with his girlfriend back then. “You know, it’s not really good,” he answers. And “It’s kinda… bad” he adds sadly. “What miracle,” I think. From the report of the prison’s personnel towards Mr. Steven Sumani Nayina and his Deputy I have heard that the daily ration of one imprisoned person is set to the costs of 60 Pesewa per day, less than 30 Eurocent. My stomach aches, I have to protect myself from the sun and I feel I need water to beware of overheating. Not possible by now, but what makes the difference, makes it bearable for me, is that I know I can beg the personnel for letting me out again.

A female Prison wardener is following me into the cooking place. Excited she asks why I had not ask her, “Now all is over I think, now they forbid me to take pictures,”- ask her if she accompanies me,” those people are dangerous”, she advises me.

The Minister Mr. Stephen Sumani Nayina and his Deputy who just gave me his business card are coming to the place where the imprisoned are resting.