Westbridge, in collaboration with the British High Commission, on Monday donated sporting equipment to the Borstal Institute as a way of boosting the morale of the youth and developing their talents in sports.
The presentation dubbed: �Kick Drugs, Play Sports,� was aimed at fighting drug related issues among the youth in such institutions.
The items included 50 tracksuits, 90 pieces of jerseys, 100 pieces of football and some packets of chocolate.
Mr Peter Jones, British High Commissioner, who made the presentation on behalf of the team, said the gesture was to help tackle and combat drug trafficking that had taken centre stage and its adverse effects on users.
He said Ghana was noted for her love for sports and how it united the country hence the need to help develop the talents of inmates at the institute.
He said he was pleased to be part of the team that made the donation and identifying such talents among the youth could move the country forward.
Mr Stephen Cofie, Commander and Officer in Charge of the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), who received the items, said the centre did not believe in punishment but correction and reformation of character in order to prevent reoffending.
Mr Cofie said the Centre trained inmates in carpentry, welding, tailoring, shoe making, blacksmithing, draughtsmanship, vulcanizing, auto-mechanisation, electricals, ceramics, masonry, painting and macram� weaving.
He said their aim was to transform the institute to become the best Juvenile Reformatory in Africa and beyond and commended the British High Commission for the gesture promising that the items would be put to good use.
Mr Naz Khan, Team leader of Operation, Westbridge, said the move was to make a difference and that Operation Westbridge had been in the country since 2006 making a difference to stop drug carriers from going to the United Kingdom and Europe.
He said he was grateful to their sponsors; Derby County Football Club, the Green School, The Football Association, England Cricket Board and the England Fans FC, for their support.
Abena Antwi, Executive Director of Angel-Zoe Foundation stationed at the Correctional Centre, said she saw a potential in the institution hence she invested in it and was hopeful the relationship her foundation shared with the institute would be sustained.
The Ghana Borstal Institute, initially under the Department of Social Welfare, was established on May 19, 1947 to save the lives of young and careless boys from being wasted and from committing crime.
<<Print>>