The Ghana Prisons Service Council has paid a courtesy call on His Excellency John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House to update the presidency on measures adopted in addressing the challenges of the country’s prisons. The Council also unveiled plans for the launch of ‘Efiase’ project and a 10-year strategic development plan for the Prisons Service.
Project ‘Efiase’ is an initiative of the Prisons Service Council to create awareness about prison conditions and raise funds from corporate Ghana, institutions and individuals to improve the conditions of prisons and transform them into practicable reformation centres.
At the moment, the prisons house people from diverse backgrounds and, by accident, anybody at all can find himself there.
Welcoming the Council members in his office, the President lauded the sixth Prisons Service Council for their initiative and exceptional leadership, after which he accepted an invitation to launch the ‘Efiase’ project on June 26, 2015 as scheduled.
He, therefore, indicated his plans of commencing a familiarisation tour of some selected prisons in the country to have a feel of the conditions of prison inmates.
This, according to the President, forms part of government’s programme to decongest prisons in the country and to commit resources aimed at improving conditions of the Prisons Service as a whole.
Upon the request of the Prisons Service Council, the President promised to deliver two ambulances to enhance the operations of the Ghana Prisons Service. He also stated government’s preparedness to review the inmates’ feeding fee upwards from GH¢1.80 per inmate in due course.
The Chairman of the Prisons Service Council, Rev Dr Stephen Wengam, briefed the President on some of the activities carried out by the Council since its induction, and commended government for funding the construction of Ghana’s only ultra-modern prison: the Ankaful Maximum Prison in the Central Region.
He also acknowledged government for migrating the entire prison personnel onto the Single Spine Salary Structure, the recent promotions of senior officers by the President, and approval of Public-Private Partnership in the Prisons Service to take part in projects that will enhance development.
Rev Dr Wengam reiterated that a 10-year strategic development plan for the Ghana Prisons Service will be launched the same day alongside the ‘Efiase’ project.
On behalf of the Prisons Service Council, Dr Wengam presented a documentary on the state of prisons titled ‘Locked and Forgotten’ and a smock woven by prison inmates to President Mahama as a gift from prisoners.
He finally thanked His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana for accepting the invitation to the launch.
Other Council members present at the Flagstaff House included the Director-General of Prisons, Madam Matilda Baffour-Awuah; Nana Baffour Okumanin, President’s nominee on the Council; Mr Solomon Appiah, also a nominee of the President; Deputy Director of Prisons, Mr LKA Ansah; Dr Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, President of the Ghana Medical Association; Superintendent Charles Ameyaw, Secretary of the Council; and Senior Chief Officer, Mr Salifu Aduna.
<<Print>>