Sunyani: Pastor Stephen Denkyi Asante, the Head Pastor of the Sunyani Central District of the Church of Pentecost (COP), has inspired prisoners not to be disheartened by the incarceration. Instead, he urged them to be transformed and well-mannered by their present circumstances, leverage prison opportunities and rebuild their lives for their successful reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
According to Ghana News Agency, Pastor Asante delivered a sermon at the Sunyani Central Prisons, referencing Jeremiah 29:11, to remind the inmates that God had good plans for them. The sermon followed the presentation of food items and consumables to the inmates by the Youth Zion/Goodnews Youth Ministry of the church. Pastor Asante encouraged the prisoners to remain steadfast and draw inspiration from the biblical story of Joseph, who rose from imprisonment to become the prime minister of Egypt. He emphasized, "At the end of the struggle God will show His glory and honour in the life of Joseph and you must let that story inspire you and dream big for the future."
The visit also saw the Youth Ministry paying GHC150,000 in court-imposed fines for four inmates, facilitating their release. Pastor Asante advised the mostly young inmates to trust in God, ensuring they were transformed and well-mannered during their time in prison.
Chief Superintendent Samuel Addae, the Deputy Commander of the Sunyani Central Prison, appealed for public support towards the inmates' upkeep. He highlighted the importance of collective responsibility for the proper upbringing, reformation, and successful reintegration of ex-convicts, urging the public to aid in reforming inmates.
John Cobbinah John, a convict and pastor at the Central prison, expressed gratitude to the church for their visit and urged fellow inmates to reflect on the sermon. The donation included gallons of cooking oil, bags of sachet water, rice, gari, maize, soft drinks, toiletries, sanitary pads, soaps, and detergents for the inmates' upkeep.
