Sixty-two prison inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison graduated with Bachelor’s degrees from the College of Distance Education (CoDE) of the University of Cape Coast on Thursday, 27th March 2025.
The rationale behind extending tertiary education to the prison inmates was to offer a clear pathway to their rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. It was also aimed at empowering them with valuable skills and knowledge needed for successful reintegration into society.
The program, initiated through a collaboration between the Ghana Prisons Service, the University of Cape Coast, and Plan Volta Ghana, an NGO, represents a significant step towards fulfilling the mandate of the Prisons Service to reform, rehabilitate, and reintegrate prisoners back into society.
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, said education is one of the most powerful tools for transformation. According to him, investing in the education of inmates not only sharpens them academically but also equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute positively to society upon their release.
Mr. Muntaka said the success of this initiative is a clear reflection of the government’s commitment and vision to support meaningful rehabilitation programs that go beyond mere incarceration.
He urged the inmates to take advantage of the program to build a better future for themselves and their families.
On her part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, said education is a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. As a country, the graduation of these inmates serves as a reminder of the critical need to grant second opportunities to everyone. Mrs. Awatey said the sterling performance of the graduands is an example of what can be accomplished when society invests in the rehabilitation and empowerment of its citizens.
The minister said the inmates have demonstrated that circumstances do not determine one’s fate. In the face of difficulties, they chose to maximize their potential and seek knowledge by showing courage, persistence, and a steadfast dedication to self-improvement. She congratulated them for choosing transformation over stagnation, and by doing so, they have inspired many.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/PR Unit
