Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Minister of the Interior, visited the Nsawam Prison in the Eastern Region to become acquainted with day-to-day operations.
A agricultural project, a carpenter business, a tailoring shop, a paper machine factory, an 800-capacity Prison Remand Project, and a clinic were among the projects the Minister examined while in prison.
Despite the difficulties the jail administration faced, the Minister was impressed by the programs, especially the farm.
He reaffirmed his support for the Ghana Prisons Service, saying that his commitment to the Service is a commitment to carrying out the President’s security-related objectives.
“I promised that the Ghana Prisons Service will no longer be an orphan,” he said, adding that his role is not simply to sit in the office and read reports, but also to get out and see what is going on to make educated judgements to improve the situation.
Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak stated that since taking office, he has been advocating for the Service’s direction and is pleased that his efforts have begun to bear fruit.
He noted the donation of 15 pickup trucks, two buses, and a Toyota Land Cruiser to the Service as instances of better service delivery.
The Minister also assured the prison authorities that the Community Service Bill is in the works and is now being considered by Cabinet.
He explained that the Bill will offer an alternative to prison sentences, allowing offenders to serve their time in the community while being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
He also stated that he is striving to encourage people to start businesses in the prison, which will provide offenders with skills and training that will allow them to be reformed and reintegrated into society once they are released.
The Minister urged the prison workers and administrators to keep up their good work and praised them for their sacrifices.
He reassured them that the administration is dedicated to resolving their issues and urged them to remain focused until they are resolved.
The prison administration and personnel, who have been working under difficult circumstances to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners into society, view the Interior Minister’s visit as a boost to their morale.
Source: newsthemegh.com