Accra: Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ.) has been appointed as the Director-General of Prisons, becoming the second female to hold this prestigious position in the Ghana Prisons Service. She previously served as the Deputy Director-General of Prisons in charge of Finance and Administration. Her appointment was made by President John Dramani Mahama on March 14, 2025, taking over from Mr Isaac Kofi Egyir, who had been appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie is a seasoned corrections and security expert with over 37 years of dedicated service to the Ghana Prisons Service. She began her career as a recruit in 1987 and rose through the ranks, eventually joining the Senior Officer Corps after completing her degree at the University of Ghana and the Cadet Course in 1994. Her career is marked by various leadership roles, including positions as Classroom Instructor, Adjutant, Course Commander, Chief Legal Officer, and Officer-In-Charge.
In her previous roles, she has been instrumental in improving staff welfare, addressing legal and administrative matters, developing policies, and advocating for reforms that benefit staff, inmates, and stakeholders. As Chief Legal Officer, she oversaw the review of the Prison Service and Parole Bills and contributed to passing regulations on prison administration and discipline.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie's leadership was pivotal. As the Deputy Director of Prisons, she secured support from various agencies to obtain essential medical supplies and developed health policies to protect prison staff and inmates. Her efforts led to a zero-death record in Ghana Prisons during the pandemic, highlighting the effectiveness of her strategies.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie has introduced several initiatives, such as organic farming to reduce post-harvest losses and skill training programs for inmate rehabilitation. Her focus on staff welfare, career development, and income-generating projects aims to reduce reliance on government funding.
She 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. Her extensive training includes international criminal law, corporate governance, and strategic leadership. Additionally, she contributed to the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
Her dedication has earned her numerous awards, including the Female Pillar of Modern Public Service Award. Married with children, Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie enjoys painting, basketball, cooking, dancing, traveling, and spending time with children. Her vision for the Ghana Prisons Service includes transforming it into a modern correctional institution that contributes to the economy and public safety.