Dr Jabri Ibrahim Mohammed, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has advocated for the extension of the National Apprenticeship Programme to the country’s prisons, insisting that vocational training for inmates is vital for rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr Mohammed underscored the importance of making vocational training accessible to prisoners, arguing that true rehabilitation must include practical skill development that aids reintegration into society.

“Prisons are supposed to function as reformative institutions, but often, people go there and return,” he noted. “They weigh the marginal benefits of prison life—three square meals a day—against the hardship outside, where many cannot meet even their basic needs. That reality pushes some to reoffend just to return.”

Dr Mohammed emphasised that the National Apprenticeship Programme should not be confined to those outside prison walls.

“A branch of the programme must be introduced within the prisons,” he said. “Inmates should be able to learn trades such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and more. These skills could greatly improve their employability after release and reduce the likelihood of them returning to crime.”

He further stressed that rehabilitation must go beyond vocational training.

“True rehabilitation must address spiritual and social development as well,” he explained. “We must instil religious and moral values so that when inmates re-enter society, they are better prepared to contribute meaningfully.”

The National Apprenticeship Programme, launched in April 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama, provides free technical and vocational education for young Ghanaians. It aims to train 10,000 apprentices initially and scale up to 100,000 annually. The programme combines classroom instruction with practical, on-the-job experience in sectors such as agriculture, construction, ICT, manufacturing, and fashion.

Dr Mohammed’s call comes amid broader conversations around prison reform and youth unemployment, highlighting the need for inclusive and comprehensive solutions to national development challenges.