By Morkpokpor Anku
Accra, March 20, GNA – Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ.), the newly appointed Director-General of Prisons, is the second female to occupy this enviable position in the Ghana Prisons Service.
She was the former Deputy Director-General of Prisons in charge of Finance and Administration.
President John Dramani Mahama appointed her on March 14, 2025, when Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie took over from Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir, who was appointed the DG of Prisons on October 28, 2021, by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
She is a seasoned corrections and security expert with over 37 years of dedicated service to the Ghana Prisons Service.
Joining the Service as a recruit in 1987 with an Advanced Level Certificate, she rose through the Junior officer ranks till 1995.
After her first Degree from the University of Ghana in 1993, she joined the Senior Officer Corps after successfully completing the Cadet Course in 1994.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie held various substantive leadership positions as well as acting command positions, including Classroom Instructor, Adjutant, Course Commander, Chief Legal Officer, and Officer-In-Charge.
She was the Director of Prisons Health, Technical & Services, and Operations among others and was known for effectively handling complex issues across different sectors.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie helped to improve the welfare of staff, addressing legal and administrative matters, developing policies, restoring and harmonising allowances, and leading reforms to benefit staff, inmates and stakeholders.
As Chief Legal Officer, she oversaw the review of the Prison Service and Parole Bills and helped to pass regulations on prisons General Administration and Discipline.
At the James Camp Prisons, she introduced ideas to improve prison management, focusing on Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, making the prison a model facility.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie, then the Deputy Director of Prisons, successfully advocated support from national and international agencies, philanthropists, and
religious organisations, securing essential medical supplies and led the development and implementation of health policies to protect prison staff and inmates.
She also negotiated with the judiciary to secure a temporary ban on direct remand to prisons and proposed designated reception facilities for new inmates.
These measures contributed to Ghana Prisons achieving a zero-death record during the pandemic, making it one of the safest correctional systems globally.
She introduced year-round organic farming to reduce post-harvest losses and promote value addition without external support
The Director-General also implemented skill training and creative arts programmes as tools for inmate reformation and rehabilitation.
Her initiatives prioritised staff welfare, career development, and the creation of safe workspace while promoting income-generating projects to reduce reliance on government funding.
DGP Patience Baffoe-Bonnie holds a Barrister-at-Law and Qualifying Certificate from the Ghana School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Social Work from the University of Ghana, Legon.
She is an alumna of Tema Secondary, Winneba Secondary, and Nana Osae Djan Experimental Primary School, Nsawam.
She has attended numerous local and international training programmes, including courses on international criminal law and justice, corporate governance, strategic leadership, and workforce planning in the United Kingdom.
She also contributed to the United Nations Mission in Liberia as a planner, advisor, and mentor.
Beyond her professional work, she enjoys painting, basketball, cooking, dancing, traveling, and spending time with children.
Her dedication and professionalism have earned her several awards, which include the Female Pillar of Modern Public Service Award, HD LeadHERS Xperience Award (Exceptional Award for Women in Leadership, 2023), Ghana Women’s Award (Outstanding Female Prisons Officer, 2013)
She is married with children.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie is the embodiment of professionalism, integrity, and quality service delivery.
She believes that with the right direction, the Prison Service can be transformed into a modern correctional institution that meaningfully contributes to the economy and the national food basket while maintaining public safety.
Her innovative ideas of using available skills and services, with emphasis on agriculture and creative arts as tools for reformation and expansion, will propel the Ghana Prisons Service to greater heights.
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