News
Help provide assistance to prison inmates – Rev Steve Mensah
• 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.
of Koforidua after the launch
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
News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
