Gov't has no help for freed prisoners - Woyongo

Interior minister Mark Woyongo has said government is incapable of providing any kind of assistance to the numerous prisoners who have just been pardoned by President John Mahama.

According to him, although government feels the need to help, the lack of resources makes it difficult to make any meaningful offer.

President John Mahama Tuesday released 900 prisoners in exercise of his presidential power of mercy. The move has become a routine for Ghanaian Presidents as part of the commemoration of the Republic Day which falls on July 1.

But there are fears the released persons may get themselves back into jail since there are no jobs for them to do in their respective communities.

Reacting to the concerns, Woyongo said the government will need the help of all stakeholders in order to resettle the freed inmates.

'The ideal thing would have been to provide jobs for them but unfortunately we are not in the position to do so until we are in the position to empower the prisoner to become productive to be able to generate their own revenue.

' Until such time when they are able to generate money, take care of themselves while they are in prison and keep some until the first time when they are released, I don't think that government is in a position to help,' he said.

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