The Central Regional Division of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) screened 334 inmates and officers of the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison last Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The exercise was accompanied by the donation of several boxes of medical supplies to support healthcare delivery at the facility.
The outreach was organised in collaboration with the Central Regional Health Directorate and was championed following a call by the Chaplaincy Unit of the facility, headed by ADP Rev Joseph Adobaw-Ogo.
Rev Adobaw-Ogo, who also chairs the Central Regional Prison Medicine and Equipment Bank, scheduled to be launched on September 30, 2026 said the initiative was to support the Prisons Service agenda of ensuring readily available medical supplies and equipment.
He said this is under the leadership of the Director General of Prisons, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq).
Receiving the items, the Central Regional Commander, DDP Joseph Asabre, thanked the GMA and said the support came at the right time, considering plans for the launch of the Medicine and Equipment Bank.
He commended the Association for screening inmates for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, BMI, skin conditions, eye conditions, ENT conditions, dental conditions and psychiatric conditions.
Speaking to The Chronicle, the Chairman of the GMA Central Division, Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ofori, said Ankaful was chosen because its large inmate population is often forgotten in society.
“As part of our social responsibility, we believe quality primary healthcare must reach everyone, regardless of where they are,” he said.
He added that the deplorable health situation was brought to light through the Prison Chaplains Association. Dr Ofori explained that prison health was often neglected, yet inmates had a right to health like any other Ghanaian.
“With the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, overcrowding and limited access to routine screening, many conditions went undetected until complications arose,” he said.
He stressed that there was no separation between prison health and public health. “Many inmates will eventually be reintegrated into society. Untreated infections, hypertension, diabetes and mental health conditions in prison eventually become a burden on families and on our health system,” he said.
On general observations, Dr Ofori said the team recorded a high burden of undiagnosed and poorly controlled chronic conditions, particularly hypertension, as well as skin conditions, haemorrhoids and eye problems.
“What stood out most was their gratitude – for many, it was the first time in a long while that a doctor had sat down to listen to them,” he stated.
The GMA also donated medications provided by pharmaceutical partners including Add Pharma, Mega Lifesciences, Hale Pharmacy, Unicom Chemists, BSV, Phyto-Riker, Indus and Himalaya Pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, the Central Regional PRO, CSP David Nyabiire Apusigah, thanked the GMA for its support and appealed to well-meaning Ghanaians, philanthropists, NGOs, religious bodies and corporate institutions to support the agenda for a safer correctional system.
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