By Enock Ankomah
The Director-General of the Ghana Prison Service, Madam Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has called for the integration of local languages into online learning platforms to make educational programmes more accessible to inmates with low educational backgrounds.
She made the appeal during a ceremony where Leyden Education Consult donated 30 laptops equipped with online learning courses to inmates and officers of the Prison Service.
According to her, incorporating local languages into digital learning modules would enable more inmates to fully participate in educational and skills training programmes, stressing that language barriers should not prevent inmates from benefiting from rehabilitation initiatives aimed at equipping them with employable skills.
Madam Baffoe-Bonnie further appealed for the inclusion of more practical, hands-on courses such as architecture and other technical skills within the online learning model. She noted that introducing practical-based training would better prepare inmates for the competitive job market upon their release.
She expressed appreciation to Leyden Education Consult for the donation, describing it as a significant contribution to the Service’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for inmates, as well as professional development for prison officers.
The Chief Executive Officer of Leyden Education Consult, Dr. James Owusu, described the initiative as a comprehensive skills development intervention aimed at reducing recidivism among inmates. He explained that the programmes installed on the laptops are designed not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also to build competency, critical thinking abilities, and practical job-market skills.
Dr. Owusu noted that statistics indicate a significant number of inmates re-offend within the first six months after their release. He said the intervention is therefore structured to equip inmates with relevant skills and competencies before they leave prison, enabling them to transition more smoothly into the job market.
Founder of the Crime Check Foundation, Ibrahim Kwateng, described the donation of the 30 laptops as a major boost to inmate rehabilitation efforts. He stated that the devices, preloaded with educational programmes of varying durations, will provide inmates with the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and practical skills while serving their sentences.
Mr. Kwateng emphasized that empowering inmates through education and vocational training remains key to addressing recidivism. He also commended the Director-General for her enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative, noting that her assurances that the laptops would be put to effective use reflect the Service’s readiness to fully embrace the intervention.
The current donation marks the beginning of a broader vision by Leyden Education Consult. Organisers revealed that the 30 laptops represent the pilot phase of a 1,000-laptop project aimed at transforming rehabilitation and skills training within Ghana’s prison system.
