President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GH¢100 million allocation in the 2027 Budget to complete the abandoned remand prison block at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in the Eastern Region.
The project, which is expected to be completed in 2027, is designed to provide separate accommodation for remand prisoners who are awaiting trial and have not been convicted of any criminal offence.
President Mahama disclosed the funding commitment on Saturday during the second induction ceremony of Reverend Stephen Yenusom Wengam as General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, alongside the inauguration of the church’s newly elected Executive Presbytery officers in Accra.
According to the President, Reverend Wengam’s involvement with the Prisons Council had brought renewed attention to the challenges facing Ghana’s prison system, particularly the practice of keeping remand prisoners together with convicted inmates.
President Mahama described the situation as inappropriate, stressing that individuals awaiting trial should not be treated in the same manner as those who have already been found guilty of criminal offences.
He praised Reverend Wengam for his commitment to prison reforms, rehabilitation and the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly through his work with the Prisons Council and the well-known ‘Efiase’ project.
The President emphasised that remand prisoners have not been convicted by a court and should therefore be accommodated separately from convicted inmates.
He further revealed that construction of the Nsawam remand prison facility started under his previous administration but was abandoned after his government left office.
President Mahama assured Ghanaians that the government was committed to completing the project next year to improve prison conditions and protect the rights and dignity of inmates awaiting trial.
He also acknowledged Reverend Wengam’s contributions to national development, including his role as Chairman of the Lordina Foundation between 2017 and 2022.
The President commended the Assemblies of God, Ghana, for supporting government development initiatives through investments in education, healthcare and community welfare.
He encouraged religious organisations to continue contributing to national development while appealing to the church to offer prayers and constructive advice to his administration.
President Mahama also congratulated Reverend Wengam on securing a second term as General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana.
Assemblies of God Ghana Expands to 1.2 Million Members
Speaking at the ceremony, Reverend Stephen Wengam revealed that the Assemblies of God, Ghana, had established 2,077 new congregations over the past four years, increasing its membership from 812,254 to approximately 1.2 million.
He also disclosed that the church had constructed 177 legacy temples since 2024 to provide permanent and suitable places of worship for congregations previously operating under trees, in sheds and other inadequate facilities.
According to Reverend Wengam, President Mahama and his wife supported the initiative by financing the construction of 10 temples, while he and his wife also contributed towards building another 10.
He explained that the church’s transformation agenda focuses on expanding infrastructure, improving the welfare of pastors and strengthening its institutional capacity ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2031.
As part of the preparations, the church is planning to establish a centenary city featuring an international congress centre with a seating capacity of approximately 6,000 people.
The proposed development will occupy 137 acres of land donated by an individual who is not a member of the church. Reverend Wengam indicated that architectural designs for the project had already been completed.
He further revealed that President Mahama had offered to lead fundraising efforts to support the centenary project. However, he clarified that the President had assured the church that government resources would not be used to finance its construction.
The induction ceremony concluded with Reverend Wengam leading prayers for President Mahama, his family and members of his government, seeking divine wisdom, protection and strength for the country’s leadership.
The congregation also offered prayers for Ghana’s peace, economic recovery and national development.
The event attracted several government officials, ministers of state, gospel musicians, religious leaders and other prominent personalities.
The GH¢100 million commitment is expected to support efforts to improve prison infrastructure, promote humane treatment of inmates and strengthen the separation of remand prisoners from convicted offenders within Ghana’s correctional system.
Source: newsthemegh.com