By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated various items to the Wa Central Prison to support inmate training and rehabilitation. The donation package included one industrial sewing machine, three foot-operated sewing machines, five electric motors, two industrial pressing irons, four computers with accessories, a printer, two toner cartridges, and three weaving looms with accessories.
The Ghana-Kumasi President of the Church, Alexander Boateng, presented the donation to the Upper West Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service, DDP Alhaji Ousmane Tasembedo.
Talking about the mission of Christ, Mr. Boateng referenced John 14:27, where Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Expanding on this, Mr. Boateng indicated, “Peace is a precious gift, and if you are well resourced and you don’t have peace, you don’t have anything. How can we live in peace if you live in a community where our fellow members and women are suffering? So if you have a little, you share it. If you have knowledge, you share it. In that way, we are promoting this gift of peace that the Saviour Himself promised all of us.”
He further explained that, guided by this biblical principle, the Church responded positively when it received a request to support inmates at the Wa Central Prisons by equipping them with skills for self-reliance after their sentences.
The Upper West Regional Commander of Prisons, DDP Alhaji Ousmane Tasembedo, expressed deep appreciation to the Church for the donation, which he noted was worth several thousands of Ghana cedis.
He pointed out that the gesture clearly demonstrates the Church’s commitment to rehabilitating and equipping inmates with skills that will help them reintegrate into society after their release.
He described the example from the Church as a “thoughtful and wonderful gesture”, saying the items will go a long way in enhancing the reformation and rehabilitation programme which is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, per Article 205.
DDP Alhaji Tasembedo observed that the donation is a motivation for the officers of the Ghana Prisons Service in ensuring effective rehabilitation of those in our custody. He told the officers and men of the Service that “with these additional resources, I urge you to continue guiding and mentoring the inmates for them to become useful citizens after their discharge”.
