A total of 423 new Ghana Prisons Service recruits yesterday passed out after nine months of intensive training at the Prisons Officers Training School, in Accra.
Training of the 423, second of three batches of 1,000 new entrants, forms part of government’s efforts to resource the Ghana Prisons Service with logistics and personnel.
The third batch of 140 senior officers of the service is expected to graduate in two months.
Speaking at the passing out parade, the Minister for The Interior, Ambrose Dery, said government acknowledged the essential role the service played in the criminal justice system, and national security.
He said government was leaving no stone unturned to resource the service and put it in a better state, to effectively deliver on its mandate.
“Government on assumption of office promised to deliver potable water right to the prisons, nationwide. This promise was made by the Vice President at the inaugural ceremony of the current Ghana Prisons Service Council,” Mr Dery said.
He indicated that government has provided new mechanised boreholes at 22 of the 46 prisons in the country, to supply potable water to inmates.
Mr Dery said government was addressing the health needs of the prisons, and has directed the Ministry of Health to consider the prisons, in its roll-out programmes to deliver healthcare.
“Accordingly, three medical doctors, five registered general nurses, two registered general midwives, twenty-five nurse assistants and twelve nurse assistants have been seconded to the prisons services. Efforts to have these professionals fully employed have been completed and they have since started work in earnest,” he stressed.
Mr Dery said government appreciates the support from the public and private sector in assisting the service to discharge its responsibilities.
He commended the Church of Pentecost for supporting efforts to construct five model camp prisons in prime agricultural areas in the country.
The minister said the proposed model camp prisons would contain inmates’ dormitories, workshops, administration blocks, storage facilities, recreational facilities and churches.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
