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Ghanaian community in Germany pays fines for 12 prison inmates in Ashanti Region
• Rev. Frimpong Mensah (left), a member of IPCA in Ashanti Region, Rev Supt. Stella Katso (2nd left),
Prison Chaplain, Supt. Bukari (right) and Mr. Owusu Barimah after the presentation
Moved by the example of Jesus Christ in shedding his blood on the cross of calvary for the forgiveness of sins,a Ghanaian community based in Germany in collaboration with the International Prisons Chaplains Association (IPCA) have paid approximately GH¢ 20,000.00 fines to free 12 prison inmates, who are minor offenders from the various prisons in the Ashanti Region.
The fines were paid before Easter. This was made possible by the group through the effective collaboration of IPCA and discussions held with prisons authorities in the region.
In addition to paying the fine, the group has also given the inmates pocket money to enable them to travel to their hometowns.
The group said it had identified IPCA as a credible partner having followed its activities over the period, especially the global advocacy campaign in fighting for the rights of prison inmates, and interacted with some leading members of the association.
The President of IPCA, Ghana, Rev Steve Mensah said the two groups would concentrate on extending their services to cover other regions with emphasis on female prisoners,
and make a strong case in pushing forward the introduction of Non- Custodial Sentences in the country.
He was full of praise for the Germany-based group, especially Mr Kweku Appiah and Mr. Owusu Barimah and the leading members of the Ashanti Region Branch of IPCA together with the Prison authorities.
IPCA has over the years been spearheading the welfare of prison inmates, feted them and provided them with some basic needs.
He said IPCA would monitor the lives of the freed inmates for a couple of months and support them with some basic needs so that they would not go astray and eventually find themselves back in prison, a situation which would put their work in vain.
By Raymond Kyekye