Accra: Alhaji Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation (CCF), has commended partners in the implementation of the Prisons Inmates Tertiary Education Programme (PITEP). The Programme aims to provide inmates with academic qualifications and skills to contribute positively to society upon release. It was facilitated and implemented collectively by the Ghana Prisons Service, the University of Cape Coast with sponsorship from Plan Volta Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Kwarteng, who is also the Ambassador Extraordinaire of Prisons, expressed his admiration for the programme, stating, "Education is the key to change, and by providing tertiary education to inmates, we are giving them a second chance at life." He praised the Prisons Service for the progressive initiative, describing it as a beacon of hope for both inmates and society. Mr Kwarteng emphasized the need to secure adequate funding and support from the government and private sector to sustain the initiative.
He highlighted that the programme is not merely about education, but also about restoring dignity, giving hope, and reducing recidivism. The Executive Director stressed the importance of ensuring that the Programme receives the necessary backing to continue transforming lives. Mr Kwarteng reaffirmed his commitment to advocating policies that prioritize education in prisons, asserting that a reformed prisoner is a potential asset to society, and called for collective support for these life-changing initiatives.
CCF has long advocated for prison reform and the rehabilitation of inmates in Ghana, spearheading several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of prisoners and ensuring their successful reintegration into society. Deputy Director of Prisons, Patrick Thomas Seidu, the Officer In Charge of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, explained that several factors motivated the Service to initiate the Programme. He noted that some inmates were unsure of their future paths, while others were pursuing educational courses before incarceration, prompting the identification of potential and enrollment into the programme.
The Ghana Prisons Service partnered with the University of Cape Coast to establish the College of Education for Inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison as part of the Programme. Remarkably, three of the inmates achieved First Class Honours.