The Ghana Prisons Service has stated that the convicted former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, is well and safe in its custody at the Nsawam Prisons.
The assurance follows Wontumi’s claim that some inmates at the Nsawam Prison had attempted to poison him; a claim the Prison authorities say they are investigating.
“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,” Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CPS Abdul Latif, told Myjoyonline.
CPS Latif said there was no cause for alarm as far as Wontumi’s safety was concerned.
“We can say that Wontumi is safe and there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to his security in the prison.”
The Chief Public Relations Officer also disputed claims that Wontumi was receiving special treatment in prison.
“I think the Prisons are governed by rules and regulations, and those rules and regulations don’t segregate or discriminate between prisoner A and prisoner B. You understand? So, I can tell you that Wontumi is being subjected to the same rules and regulations that other prisoners are being subjected to. So, the claim that Wontumi is being given preferential treatment in prison is not true and cannot be true. Also, the prison is already overcrowded. We all know the situation in Nsawam.”
“A facility that’s supposed to hold about 851 inmates is now holding 3,000-plus inmates. So, I can tell you there’s no truth in that claim, and it’s something that perhaps is being put out there for attention.”
The Chief Public Relations Officer, however, denied claims by Wontumi’s spokesperson that some five prison inmates have been relocated from their cells following the alleged attempted poisoning incident.
“No, I cannot confirm that”, CSP Latif said when Myjoyonline specifically asked him about that claim.
