Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has revealed that discussions are currently underway to relocate the Kumasi Central Prisons.

The move forms part of broader efforts to decongest both the city and the overcrowded prison facility.

This follows a recent visit by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, during which the extent of congestion and related health challenges at the prison were brought to light.

Built to accommodate 500 inmates, the Kumasi Central Prisons is now holding over 1,700 inmates.

Dr Amoakohene confirmed that while the matter has not yet been officially tabled before the President, initial conversations have already begun.

“Thankfully, before today, the Interior Minister was here. We held an extensive discussion on some of the challenges faced by inmates and prison officers here at the Kumasi Central Prisons and also as a region,” he said.

“We discussed, among others, plans to be able to decongest the prison, which is key in making sure that you provide a very conducive environment for your work,” he added.

Dr Amoakohene further revealed that relocating the prison is among the proposals currently on the table.

“Additional things that have come up are a possible relocation of the central prisons so that we can have adequate land space and be able to, as it were, free the city and be able to, as it were, decongest the central prisons.

“These discussions are ongoing, and President Mahama definitely would have a say on that, and we’ll be sure what we want to do so far as the central prisons are concerned,” he stated.

The planned relocation, if approved, would not only ease the pressure on the current facility but also contribute to wider efforts to reduce congestion in Kumasi.