Evangelist Richard Nyarko, an ex-convict who spent nearly 25 years behind bars, is calling for sweeping reforms in Ghana’s criminal justice and prison systems, arguing that countless citizens continue to suffer wrongful or prolonged imprisonment due to systemic failures.
Nyarko, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery in the late 1990s, says his ordeal, marked by seven years on remand without trial and a conviction delivered without legal representation, reflects deep cracks in Ghana’s justice delivery system.
Speaking at a recent outreach programme, the evangelist said many inmates in Ghana’s prisons are victims of poor investigations, delayed court proceedings, and outdated laws. He pointed particularly to the treatment of prisoners charged with conspiracy, who are routinely excluded from presidential amnesty despite demonstrable reform and good behaviour.
“Too many people are in prison not because they are hardened criminals, but because the system failed them,” he said. “Some were denied lawyers, others had missing case files, and many have been on remand for years. This must change.”
Nyarko’s comments come amid renewed national discussions on prison congestion and judicial delays, with human rights groups calling for legislative reviews and better safeguards for suspects without legal counsel.
His case, which began with a misunderstanding involving a vehicle number plate and escalated into a near-lynching by a mob, highlights the dangers of public instant justice and inadequate legal protection for vulnerable individuals.
Despite the challenges, Nyarko said the experience has strengthened his resolve to advocate for fairness and improved conditions in Ghana’s prisons. He now works with churches and civil society groups to push for legal reforms, proper investigations, and support systems for reintegrating ex-convicts.
“Every inmate deserves the opportunity to prove they have changed,” he said. “The justice system must protect people, not destroy them.”
Nyarko’s renewed activism adds momentum to ongoing calls for Ghana to modernise its justice framework, streamline trials, and implement stronger oversight to prevent wrongful imprisonment.
