Poison in Prison; Mahama’s 3rd term; Okudzeto’s evacuees – Enimil Ashon writes

This “attempted poisoning” business at the Nsawam Prison! I am alarmed because I am concerned about the health of Chairman Wontumi. But what type of poisoning was it: food, drug, drink? Or did some inmate blow a poisoned powdered substance that went through Wontumi’s nostrils or his mouth? In the first place, does Wontumi have a cell mate? Are prisoners allowed to share food, drink, or medicines with cellmates, or anybody for that matter? The Ghana Prisons Service has, predictably, promised a “thorough” investigation. The question, however, is: what is being investigated–that someone attempted to poison Wontumi? I thought the first action by the Service should have been to prove poisoning, and what better and more convincing proof can there be than the word of a medical officer? First of all, was Wontumi rushed (sent) to the hospital? Is there a medical report?

Ghana waits with bated breath for this report. Not unconnected with the poisoning issue is Wontumi’s call for prison reforms. News reports say he has begun to make interventions to improve the living conditions of inmates. It is said of Krobo Edusei, one-time Minister for the Interior in the First Republic, that having spent time at Nsawam Prisons after the 1966 coup, he told friends that had he known or been ever told about the heat in Ghanaian prisons, he, as Minister, would have installed air-conditioners in all prison cells!! Second matter arising: President Mahama and a feared third-term attempt. Are the Minority in Parliament, in particular, and the New Patriotic Party seized of facts that make the President’s word a lie?. More than once, both directly and indirectly, Mahama has given his word that a third term is not on the cards for him. For an undisclosed reason, however, the opposition is bent on…