According to Ghana News Agency:ormal education programme in 2018, which was formalized in 2020 to prepare inmates for national examinations such as the BECE. “We began with about 20 inmates, most of whom could not read or write. We taught them from scratch, and today, five of them are sitting for their BECE,” CSP Apusigah stated.

This marks the first time inmates at Ho Central Prison are participating in the BECE, though fluctuating inmate numbers due to sentencing pose challenges for long-term educational planning. Despite these challenges, the Service aims to register more inmates in future, including for Senior High School and tertiary-level programmes. CSP Apusigah highlighted that inmates from Nsawam Prison have graduated with university degrees, some with distinction, and he believes that inmates at Ho Central can achieve similar success with adequate support.

Released inmates receive cover letters to aid their reintegration and continued education. However, motivation remains a challenge for those still serving time, particularly due to limited food supply and lack of incentives. CSP Apusigah noted, “The daily food budget is just GH?1.80. If an inmate is hungry, he will not be able to concentrate in class. Sometimes we give extra food or a little money as motivation,” while commending Regional Commander Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Edward Eshun for starting incentive programmes for academically outstanding inmates.

CSP Apusigah called for public and stakeholder support for the prison’s education programme, requesting donations of teaching and learning materials, furniture, and infrastructure. Although the NGO Pencils of Promise provided desks previously, many are now broken or insufficient due to increasing student numbers. He also urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to send trained teachers or National Service personnel to support the programme, since current lessons are conducted by a few officers and two inmate-teachers, who teach Mathematics and Ewe. “We even have someone teaching ICT, but there are no computers. We also need teachers for English and French,” he added.

At the Ho Bankoe RC JHS Examination Centre, where the inmates are writing their exams, Centre Supervisor Mr. Jesbert Barnor confirmed that the environment has been conducive, and candidates are generally relaxed. “We were expecting 298 candidates at this centre-148 boys and 150 girls. One inmate didn’t show up. We were informed he is receiving urgent medical care,” Mr. Barnor said.

Across the Ho Municipality, a total of 3,359 candidates from 110 public and private basic schools are sitting for the BECE, underscoring Ghana’s commitment to expanding access to education even within correctional facilities.