Akuse (E/R), Sept. 17, GNA - The Prison Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Akuse Prison on Wednesday denied Mr Justice Emile Short, Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and his entourage entry to inspect the Prisons.
Chief Superintendent Isaac Frimpong-Manso, the Officer, said he who would allow the Commissioner to inspect the cells, only if he did that with his two Deputies and the Public Relations Officer, but not with Journalists.
Mr Frimpong-Manso said that he had not received authorisation from his superiors to allow Journalists to enter the Prisons. He, however, said he had received a letter informing him of the visit, but added that it was not stated that the media would be on the inspection team.
Mr Justice Short explained to him that the media had always been on his entourage during such visits. For about an hour, Commissioner Short, and his two Deputies, Ms Anna Bossman and Mr Benjamin Oppong, negotiated without success in the Prison Officer's crowded office.
The Commissioners had climbed with difficulty the 1906 building, which has almost perpendicular stairs, into the office.
The telephone was not working. Exposed electric cables dangled in the office and on the veranda and a stench engulfed the whole area. When Justice Short tried to contact the Prisons Headquarters in Accra, it was discovered that the radiotelephone (Motorola) system in Chief Supt Frimpong Manso's office was not working.
As the Commissioners negotiated with the Officer, the inmates of the male cells sat on the floor under a shed in the yard, singing gospel songs and staring at the inspection team as if expecting deliverance from it.
The scene was reminiscent of Black Slaves, depicted in films, singing "Negro Spirituals".
The media later learnt that there was overcrowding in the unkempt male cells which now has 198 inmates instead of 60.
Chief Supt Frimpong Manso later told the Journalists: "I will not allow you because of your exaggeration at times, which will embarrass the State."
Commissioner Short refused to sign the Visitors' Book. He told the Journalists that the visit, which was to launch the annual visit of CHRAJ to Prisons, was to enable the Commission and the media to get first hand information about conditions in the Prisons.
He said the Commission would re-arrange the visit after CHRAJ had resolved the media issue with the Acting Prisons Director and the Minister of the Interior.
Wednesday's visit formed part of the weeklong activities marking the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Commission. It is on the theme: "Ten Years Of The Commission On Human Rights and Administrative Justice - Achievements, Prospects And Challenges."
