COMMISSIONING OF PHASE ONE OF THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ASTROTURF BY GHANA NATIONAL GAS COMPANY FOR GHANA PRISONS SERVICE.

The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery, yesterday 8th February, 2024, commissioned the phase one of the newly constructed AstroTurf, financed by the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) for the Ghana Prisons Service.

The ceremony which brought together some key stakeholders of the Prisons Service took place at the Senior Correctional Center (SCC), Roman Ridge in Accra. The magnificent football Turf was constructed by Wembley Sports Construction Limited.

According to Hon Ambrose Dery, who read the speech on behalf of the Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ,the Astro Turf project at the facility is one of the many similar projects undertaken across the country, particularly designed to bring about a significant improvement in sports development especially soccer.

‘It is meant to harness sporting talents which will help catapult the nation into her pride and place in sports. This is also to lend opportunity to young inmates of the Center to showcase their talents in the hope that it will spur them on to success in the future’, the Honorable Minister added.

Mr. Ambrose Dery emphasized that, the facility would also facilitate the routine exercise needs of prison officers, their families and the community at large.

The Director General of Prisons, Mr. Isaac Kofi Egyir expressed his appreciation to the Ghana Gas Authority for funding the construction of the Football Turf and said this would help bring about significant improvement in sports development especially soccer for the Center.

Mr. Egyir also thanked Wembley sports construction limited and all stakeholders who contributed in ensuring that the project becomes a reality. ‘The center would soon erect other facilities including changing rooms, washrooms and spectator stand to make it complete’, DGP. Egyir noted.

A Board member of the GNGC, Lawyer John Darko who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of GNGC, Dr. K. D. Asante said, their desire to help fund the facility was borne out of the vision to provide a recreational facility to promote rehabilitation and social re-integration within the center.

Mr. Darko urged the Prisons Service to maintain the facility for the benefit of the inmates and the community.

The ceremony was crowned with a friendly fooball match competition between Prisons Service and GNGC, for both male and female divisions. Prisons ladies won by 2-0. The men drew 2-2 after the playtime. Prisons Men team won 4-2 on penalty shoot-out to emerge winners.

Also present were Deputy Director General of Prisons in charge of Administration, Mrs. Patience Baffoe – Bonnie Esq. and other members of the Prisons Directorate; the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Hon. Lydia Seyram – Alhassan and the Acting Chief Director of Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Doreen Panyin Annan.

Others were the MCE for Ayawaso West, Hon. Sandra Owusu Ahinkrah; the Municipal Director of Education, Madam Margaret Kaba; the General Finance Manager of GNGC, Mr. Addo Twum and the Project Manager of GNGC, Mr. Ayimah Edonggole.