Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has drawn attention to alleged same-sex sexual activities among inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. Speaking on Class 91.3 FM’s evening news analysis programme 505 with Charles Akrofi on Tuesday, October 27, Dr Boakye-Danquah relayed concerns shared by the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman based on his own experience in prison.
According to Dr Boakye-Danquah, Mr Boasiako described the use of the phrase “pay, pay, pay” among inmates as a code to signal sexual encounters between men or between women. He warned that if prison officers fail to act swiftly when such incidents occur, tensions could escalate into violence.
“You are aware that in Nsawam prison people are not allowed to have sex… and he says that when you hear ‘pay, pay, pay’ it means that a man is sleeping with a man or a woman is sleeping with a woman, and so if the prison officers don’t get there early, you would realize that they will kill each other… so, he calls for a clear demarcation of inmates,” Dr Boakye-Danquah explained.
These concerns form part of Chairman Wontumi’s broader call for improved classification of inmates in Ghana’s prisons. “Inmate classification is one of the things that Chairman calls for. It is important that we don’t mix up all the hardened criminals with people who don’t have an idea of certain high level of crimes,” he added.
Dr Boakye-Danquah also highlighted the need for careful attention to inmates convicted of sexual offences, noting that efforts should be made to prevent the continuation of such acts behind bars. The discussion further touched on Ghana’s ongoing efforts to pass anti-LGBTQI+ legislation.
Dr Boakye-Danquah pointed out that those convicted under such laws would also join the general prison population, underscoring the need for clear inmate separation to protect security and prevent abuse.
The allegations of same-sex sexual activity at Nsawam Prison have not been independently verified by Class News, and no response from the Ghana Prisons Service was included in Dr Boakye-Danquah’s account.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com