Nsawam Prison inmates sit for teacher licensure exam

Thirty-seven inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in Ghana sat for the Teacher Licensure Examination on September 14, 2026. The examination, administered by the National Teaching Council, is a mandatory professional assessment required for any trained teacher to legally practice in Ghana.

The participants had already completed their respective degree programs, making them eligible for the exam. To ensure the integrity of the process, two external invigilators were brought into the facility to administer the test under conditions matching those outside the prison, with oversight from the Ghana Prisons Service.

The Ghana Prisons Service stated that this initiative is part of its mission for reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration. By obtaining professional credentials rather than just skills certificates, successful inmates will be qualified for actual teaching positions upon their release, which officials hope will improve employment prospects and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.