Upper West Regional Prisons Command organised a health walk and a donation exercise

The Upper West Regional Prisons Command under the auspices of the Regional Commander and Officer In Charge of Wa Central Prison, ADP. James Bongfudeme Mwinyelle (ING) has, on the 20th of April, 2024, organized a health walk and a donation exercise.

The exercise which was the first of its kind by the command witnessed a very massive attendance by the gallant Prison Officers of the station, members of the Retired Prison Officers Association of Ghana (REPOAG), Prison Officers Wives Association (PROWA) and the Prison Support Assistants (PSAs).

The Health Walk was done through the principal streets of Wa municipality amidst drumming and dancing of JAMA songs by the Wa Central Prison JAMA Group. The jubilant officers carried placards with inscriptions some of which read; Stop Stigmatization against ex-convicts, the prisoner is a Human being, imprisonment is a punishment but not for punishment, reintegration of ex-convicts is a key, support the inmates of Wa Central Prison, Visit the Prisons, among others.

The purpose of the exercise was to increase the fitness level of the officers, create awareness of the critical role the Prison Service plays in the Criminal Justice Delivery system and also to give back to society by way of donation.

Donation was later made to the Childrens’ Ward of the Wa municipal Hospital. Items included toilet rolls, baby diapers, soft drinks, bags of sachet water, hand sanitisers, liquid soap, biscuits, and many more.

Addressing the media during the presentation of the items, ADP. Mwinyelle stressed the need for the Service to give back to society, particularly the vulnerable such as children, hence the reason for the donation.

The Regional Commander also ceased the opportunity to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all partners who contributed to the success of the exercise. He further added that both state and non-state actors should endeavour to contribute their quota towards the reformation and rehabilitation of the prison inmates.

The Administrator of the Hospital, Hon. Sampson Abu, who received the items, expressed his gratitude to the Upper West Regional Commander and his team for the kind gesture and added that the action by the command was a novelty.

The beneficiaries, which included mothers and their children, expressed their gratitude with smiles when receiving the donation.

The command, as part of the exercise, also donated pints of blood to support the hospital blood bank.

Story by:

DSP Joseph Kpiriko

Reg. Public Relations Officer.

Upper West Prison

Photo credit:

ASP Sulemana Alhassan