PRISONS CHAPLAINCY HOLDS CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH RELIGIOUS BODIES AND NGOs

The Chaplaincy unit of the Ghana Prisons Service has today the 31st of January,2023 held a consultative meeting with members of religious groups and non-governmental organisations involved in prison ministry.

The meeting which took place at the Prisons Interdenominational Church at the Prisons Headquarters, Cantonments discussed among other vital issues the welfare of prison inmates, effective reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates across the country. The Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, Mrs. Joana Fofo Tackie – Otoo welcomed all members present to the consultative meeting involving stakeholders in the Prison Ministry. The guest of honour for the meeting was the member of the Council of State, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto. He suggested a strategic way that the Church can complement the efforts of the Prison Ministry through a percentage deduction from tithes. The member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and a former member of Parliament, Hon.Okudzeto also stated that the inmates will become productive and law abiding citizens after their release from the prisons if an industrial village is established to engage and renumerate inmates for their services rendered. He added that, it is through this means that their skills acquired while serving their sentences will be put to good use.

The Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service (DGP) was represented by the Director of Prisons in charge of Technical, Dr. Francis Omane – Addo. He expressed the willingness and concern of the Directorate in ensuring an improved welfare and effective rehabilitation programmes for prison inmates. This he said can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of the current administration, religious groups and non-governmental organisations present. Having served as the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, he highlighted the enormous contributions of some non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and religious groups who were present at some prison facilities to support inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOP. Dr. Omane – Addo assured all religious bodies and NGOs present of the readiness of the Service to give them the needed support to effectively contribute to the reformation process in Ghana. A fund raising session held as part of the meeting to generate some money to support the activities of the chaplaincy throughout the year.
Also present at the consultative meeting were the Chaplain General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Rev Canon S.S. Adama Okai and senior officers from the chaplaincy unit.

By: DSP. Samuel Kofi Opoku
Pictures: 2CO Oscarlee Baffoe- Bonnie
Picture editor: 2CO Ebenezer Dadzie