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22.05.2015 Social News

PSC members call on President Mahama

22.05.2015 LISTEN
By GNA


Accra, May 22, GNA - Members of the Ghana Prisons Service Council, have paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House, to update the Presidency on measures adopted in addressing the challenges of the country's prisons.

Members also used the occasion to unveil plans for the launch of 'Efiase Project,' and a 10-year strategic development plan for the Prisons Service.

The 'Efiase Project,' is an initiative of the Prisons Service Council, to create awareness about prison conditions, and raise funds from corporate Ghana, institutions and individuals, to improve the conditions of the prisons, and transform them into practicable reformation centres.

In a statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra after meeting with the President, the Council said at the moment, the prisons house people from diverse backgrounds, and by accident anybody at all can find himself or herself there.

President Mahama lauded the Prisons Service Council for its initiative and exceptional leadership, after which he accepted an invitation to launch the 'Efiase Project,' on June 26.

President Mahama reiterated his plans of starting a familiarization tour of some prisons in the country, to have firsthand information about the conditions of the inmates.

The President's Prison Tour forms part of government's programme to dec-ongest prisons in the country, and to commit resources aimed at improving conditions of the Prisons Service as a whole.

Upon the request of the Prisons Service Council, President Mahama promised to deliver two ambulances to enhance the operations of the Ghana Prisons Service.

He also stated government's preparedness to review the inmates' feeding fee upwards from GH¢ 1.80 per inmate in due course.

The Reverend Dr. Stephen Wengam, Chairman of the Prisons Service Council, presented a documentary on the state of the prisons titled: 'Locked and Forgotten,' and a smock woven by prison inmates, to President Mahama as a gift from prisoners.

Other Council members present at the Flagstaff House were Madam Matilda Baffour-Awuah, Director-General of Prisons; Mr. LKA Ansah, Deputy Director of Prisons; Nana Baffour Okumanin; Mr. Solomon Appiah; Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, President of the Ghana Medical Association; Superintendent Charles Ameyaw, Secretary of the Council; and Senior Chief Officer, Mr. Salifu Aduna.

GNA

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