President John Dramani Mahama has outlined an array of measures to reform the country’s prisons and prepare inmates for life after prisons.
He said the reform agenda takes its root from the fundamental belief that “no Ghanaian should be stripped off their humanity even when they are in prison.”
Inaugurating a Prison Camp built by the Pentecost Church in Damongo yesterday, President Mahama stated that the reforms included the expansion and modernisation of prison facilities, the use of alternative sentencing for minor and non-violent offences, and reviewing bail conditions to avoid hardship.
He also mentioned the introduction of a parole system to reward good behaviour and accelerate reintegration, complete the 800-capacity inmate Remand Prison at Nsawam, and develop modern correctional centres across the country.
Additionally, condition of service for officers are to be enhanced, and the expansion and rehabilitation programmes connected to sustainable livelihoods and employment after release.
“The Prison Service will contribute to the 24-hr economy policy by running prison enterprises, including manufacturing, sewing school uniforms, agro processing to generate income for the Service and prepare inmates for life after prison,” he stressed.
The contribution of the Church to enhancement of life in Prison, President Mahama indicated that it was a demonstration of what could be achieved if faith-based organisations partnered the State in its development drive.
“It affirms the timeless truth that nation building is not the sole responsibility of the government but the collective moral endeavour of all who believe in the inherent dignity and potential of every human being,” President Mahama underlined.
In the view of the President, faith involves more than worship as it encompasses practical compassion and transformative action.
“We’ve all shown that when we work together, Ghana works better,” the President said, adding that the facility would serve as a sanctuary for rehabilitation, a centre for a second chance at life and workshop to transform lives.
The Damongo facility is the third correctional centre being built by the Church of Pentecost and forms part of its safety and security project under the ‘Possessing the Nations Agenda’, focused on constructing state-of-the-art facilities in selected locations across the country.
“From our ministry’s perspective, transformation involves both conversion of souls and society through the Gospel. This is because, as we all know, human beings are not isolated individuals but persons in communities embedded in complex socio-economic structures,” Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, noted.
He said the Church considers the agenda as the “Kingdom project” designed not only to save souls but to foster the transformation of society and pursues the incarcerated which humans call sinners.
“For us, sinners are our clients. And we look for them wherever they can be found. Our objective as a church is to redeem their souls for heaven, empower them, facilitate their transformation and ultimately reintegrate them as productive members of society,” he added.
The facility is equipped with quarters, classrooms, a workshop, health care units, and digital learning facilities.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI & YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, DAMANGO
