The North Kaneshie branch of the Assemblies of God Church has funded the release of two prisoners from the Awutu Prison camp in the central region.
The prisoners had been in detention for many years after committing minor offences. The two inmates could however not pay after the court fined them for their offences.
This came to light when the members of the Assemblies of God Church visited the camp to donate consumables and cash to the prison on Saturday.
The visit forms part of the church’s annual programme dubbed “The gathering of God’s Champions” (GGC).
The inmates whose identity cannot be disclosed for security reasons were full of praises to the church as they least expected such a relief could come.
Chairman of the Gathering of God’s Champions, Dr. John Ahenkora said the church had opted to release more prisoners but were not successful as only two inmates met the criteria at the time.
Meanwhile, inmates like their counterparts in other prisons also benefit from the government’s GHC 1.80 p allocated to them as feeding fees.
This, the church said is woefully inadequate to cater for a three-square meal a day.
For this reason the church donated several food items including rice, oil, about 600 bags of sachet water, drugs and males underwear.
According to the Chairman of the committee,
“Usually what we do at the end of the conference is that we donate to hospitals but this year we decided to donate to prisons which is in line with biblical principles. This year’s conference has God the theme ‘send the light’ so we are sending the lights to the prisons”.
” I was however shocked to hear that this is how much they spend on prisoners, less than GHC 2.00 a day is unbelievable. I was wondering how much do I give to my kids at home or going to school” ?.
He therefore called for a review of the fees and also called on church based organisations to come in and support since the government cannot do everything by itself.
Receiving the items, the
Officer in – Charge of the Awutu Prison Camp, Assistant Director of Prisons, Cornelius Mwinsigteng said the gesture has come at the right time since it will complement the feeding gap created as a result of the meagre feeding fee of GHC 1.80p per day.
According to him the current circumstances they find themselves means corporate institutions must support to complement government’s efforts.
The prison is also engaged in several projects and initiatives to give inmates a life after serving their sentences.
These according to the Director include ; fish farming, poultry and crop farming.
