• Bishop Yaw Adu (left) exchanging pleasantries with ADP Christopher Hayibor
(right). In the middle is Rev Steve Mensah

The President of the International Prisons Chaplains Association (IPCA), Ghana, Rev Steve Mensah has emphasised the need for churches, Christian communities and philanthropists to throw their weight behind IPSA in its crusade to support the needs of prison inmates in the country.

He said no matter the circumstances under which the inmates found themselves in jail, it was incumbent on believers and society to positively respond to the teachings of Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:43 which enjoined them to see to the needs of those imprisoned.

Rev Steve Mensah, who was inaugurating the Eastern Regional Steering Committee of IPCA branch of in Koforidua, recently noted that since the government was saddled with myriad of concerns and for that matter could not do it alone, there was the need for individuals to join the crusade to save lives.

He added that looking at the magnitude of work which needed to be done in the prisons throughout the country it demanded that more people should join in improving conditions in the prisons, which he described as non-negotiable.

Rev Mensah was grateful for the fruitful collaboration between IPCA and the Prison authorities for the commitment shown towards the launch, adding that there was more room for improvement, especially at some prison’s front desks.

Dr Mrs Angela Tena Mensah, an executive member of IPCA who has been very supportive in the crusade to see to the needs of prison inmates, in an interview with The Spectator said since women by nature were very hospitable and sympathetic, they should lend support to IPCA to put smiles to the faces of the less-privilege ones in the country. 

The Officer –in –charge of Koforidua Prison, Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Christopher Hayibor who recounted the origin of IPCA, thanked the group for the commendable role it had played in ensuring the wellbeing of prison inmates over the years.

He said the Prison High Command appreciated the support, advocacy and invaluable services IPCA had rendered the service, and was hopeful that such collaboration would continue in order to help improve the lives of the inmates.

Rev Steve Mensah was assisted by Bishop Yaw Adu of the House of Prayer Church International,Koforidua to induct the Eastern Regional Steering Committee of IPCA.

The ceremony was graced by senior staff of the Prison Service in Koforidua, leadership of the Koforidua Local Council of Churches, representatives from the Police Service and the Regional Education Directorate among others.

IPCA is a global network of Prison Chaplains comprising ordained ministers, bishops, pastors, evangelists, deacons, elders, lay leaders in all churches who are reaching out to Prisons.

IPCA was launched in Ghana in 2014 and it has a Consultative Status at the United Nations since 2014.

By Raymond Kyekye