Ghana, UK to exchange prisoners
Ghana and the United Kingdom (UK) have signed an agreement to allow Ghanaians serving prison terms in the UK to be brought to Ghana to continue.
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Likewise, British nationals serving prison terms in Ghana will also be released to continue their sentences in the UK.
Speaking after the signing of the deal in Accra on Thursday, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, said the deal would enable convicted prisoners to continue their sentences in their respective countries without any difficulties in the countries where they committed these crimes.
That arrangement, he said, followed an agreement between the two countries to improve bilateral relations and good international policies.
Dr Ayine signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana while the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Grant Shapps, initialled for the UK government.
Prisoners comfort
Dr Ayine said the deal would provide the convicts with an opportunity to have closer interactions with their families.
“This does not mean that the convicted persons who fall under this law will be allowed to walk freely without serving their sentences, after repatriation," he said.
He added that such people would be contacted and their consent given before they would be sent to their respective countries for their sentences.
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"It is very difficult for convicted prisoners to survive outside their home countries, especially when they most often feel lonely and have no family relation to talk to," he added.
Bilateral Prison Transfer
Dr Ayine said the agreement excluded nationals who resided illegally in those countries and have committed crimes.
He mentioned that Ghana passed the Act on the transfer of convicted persons in 2007 and that the act allowed the country to receive as prisoners Ghanaians who had been sentenced abroad.
Parliamentary approval required
Dr Ayine noted that the issue would be put before the Parliament of Britain and if there were no objections after 21 days, it would automatically become a law.
The minister mentioned that the British government had made efforts to support Ghana in the expansion and rehabilitation of her prisons to contain the increasing number of prisoners.
He said the law when passed would help reduce the burden of relatives having to travel from Ghana to Britain to see their convicted family members.
UK’s response
Mr Shapps expressed satisfaction with the extent of the agreement. He said the deal would strengthen the relationship between the two countries and also promote the right of convicted citizens within the countries.
Mr Shapps mentioned that the British government supported this agreement and as such would ensure that it was passed for convicted prisoners to have comfort to serve their sentences in their home countries.