“MANIFESTING THE GLORY OF GOD” Prison Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy Unit of the Ghana Prisons Service has held its annual conference at the Anglican Retreat Center in Ashale Botwe, Accra. The three days conference brought together chaplains and imams from different prison establishments across the country. The theme for the conference was “Manifesting the glory of God in our lives and work.”

The conference began with the opening ceremony which welcomed the Director General of Prisons, Mr. Isaac Kofi Egyir; the General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Samuel Obuobi; the Director of Prisons in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Owusu Amponsah; the Director of Prisons in charge of Welfare, Mrs. Joana Fofo Tackie-Otoo; the chairman of the chaplaincy board, Rev. COP. Charles Ampah Bening (rtd); the Director of Religious Affairs, Ghana Armed Forces, Apostle Dr. Col. Kumi-Woode; and the Chaplain General of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Very Rev. Fr. George Arthur. They were introduced by the Chaplain General of the Ghana Prisons Service, ADP. Rev. Canon S.S. Adama Okai.

The Director General of Prisons, in his welcome address made clear the important role the chaplaincy unit plays in the reformation process of prison inmates. He also stated that ,there is a need to enlist more chaplains and imams in the service. “I was expecting to see a huge number of chaplains and imams,” he added.

The General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, giving the keynote address, suggested four ways of manifesting the glory of God: being humble and modest, being broad-minded and generous, living a life of integrity and sincerity, and finally, exercising great spiritual wisdom. He also stated that the church would be available to support the prison chaplaincy unit when called upon.

Mrs. Joana Fofo Tackie-Otoo in her closing remarks encouraged the chaplaincy to keep up the good work they do and wished them well in their chaplaincy duties.

Also present at the conference were Rev. Perfect Ahamadzi, representing the Ghana Revenue Authority and Customs, and Pastor Shadrach Oware, representing the Narcotic Control Commission. The Chairman of the Chaplaincy, ADP Gabriel Kwesi Danquah, was also there as a representative of former Chaplain Generals.

Report and Pictures by: L/CPL Ebenezer Dadzie