Patience Baffoe-Bonnie
The management of the Ghana Prisons Service is suffering the pressure of unpaid allowances, a situation which is threatening morale among officers.
To calm tempers, management has issued a statement urging restraint as it works towards securing the payments of arrears of the non-salary related allowances to the officers.
A statement issued and signed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 by the Director-General of Prisons, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, said management is fully aware of the financial strain the situation has imposed on many of her colleagues and their families, especially rental obligations, transportation commitments and other essential domestic responsibilities.
It said the distress being experienced across commands and stations is neither ignored nor underestimated, as the Service values the sacrifice, loyalty and dedication of its officers, noting that the Administration fully acknowledges that three (3) quarters of Rent Allowance, covering the 2nd to 4th Quarters of 2025, remain outstanding.
“The Director-General and the Prisons Administration have, nonetheless, been actively and consistently engaging the appropriate authorities at the highest levels of Government through sustained follow-ups, formal correspondence, strategic consultations, and policy advocacy to secure the prompt release of the outstanding funds,” it noted.
According to her, persistent efforts by management of the Service have already produced tangible results, and expressed optimism that the remaining outstanding allowances will be released in due course given the positive indications received.
“The Administration respectfully urges all officers to remain calm, exercise restraint, and continue to uphold the discipline, professionalism, and esprit de corps that define the Ghana Prisons Service.
“Officers are particularly encouraged to maintain the commendable patience and restraint demonstrated thus far, as public agitation or externalisation of the matter could inadvertently undermine ongoing high-level efforts and jeopardise the progress already achieved. Institutional solidarity and constructive internal engagement will best advance our collective interest toward a full resolution,” parts of the statement read.
It said the welfare of officers remains a paramount priority of the Director-General and the Prisons Administration, adding that management remains resolute in exhausting all legitimate administrative and policy avenues not only to secure the prompt settlement of the arrears but also to strengthen engagements and financial coordination mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of such delays in 2026 and beyond.
“We recognise that the strength of the Service rests upon the morale, stability, and well-being of its personnel, and we will not relent in our efforts to safeguard these.
“Officers are assured that transparency will be maintained throughout this process, and any significant developments will be communicated promptly through the appropriate channels. Together, with patience, discipline, and unity of purpose, we shall navigate this temporary challenge and emerge stronger as a Service,” it added.