President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned a newly constructed 260-capacity Camp Prison at Damongo in the Savannah Region, an ultra-modern correctional and vocational training facility built and donated by The Church of Pentecost to the Ghana Prisons Service.
The Damongo Camp Prison becomes the third of its kind after similar facilities were established at Ejura and Nsawam as part of the Church’s nationwide Safety and Security Project, aimed at reducing congestion in prisons and promoting inmate rehabilitation through skills development.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama described the project as “a symbol of hope, a centre for rehabilitation, a place for second chances, and a workshop for transforming lives.” He commended the Ghana Prisons Service for its professionalism and commitment to the reformation of inmates, noting that nation-building is a shared duty between government, faith-based institutions, and civil society.
“Nation-building is not the sole duty of government. It requires the collective effort of all citizens and institutions. What The Church of Pentecost has done demonstrates the power of faith in driving transformation,” President Mahama said.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to reforming Ghana’s correctional system, announcing that ₵1 billion has been allocated to retool the country’s security agencies, improve correctional infrastructure, and introduce non-custodial sentencing and a parole system to ease prison overcrowding.
The Minister for the Interior, who accompanied the President, expressed deep appreciation to The Church of Pentecost for its generosity and unwavering dedication to national development. He noted that the partnership between the State and faith-based organizations represents “a powerful model for inclusive and sustainable development.”
Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to Ghana’s socio-economic transformation. He explained that the Safety and Security Project was designed to complement government’s efforts in promoting holistic human development.
“The Church will continue to work with government to improve the lives of citizens and to make Ghana a better place for all,” Apostle Nyamekye stated.
The Damongo Camp Prison is equipped with dormitories, classrooms, workshops, administrative offices, and training facilities in agriculture, carpentry, tailoring, and other vocational trades. It aims to equip inmates with employable skills to facilitate reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, clergy, traditional leaders, and residents of the Savannah Region, who hailed the initiative as a major step toward a more humane and reformatory justice system in Ghana.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
