IPCA Ghana celebrates 10 years 

Having successfully led the way as a good shepherd and ensured that prison inmates feel dignified, loved and cared for, the International Prison Chaplains Association, IPCA Ghana, has every reason to celebrate its tenth anniversary in paying gratitude to God.

The programme which was held at the Ghana National Association of Teachers, (GNAT Hall) in Accra, was under the theme, 

“Breaking Chains, Building Hope – ten years of transforming lives.”  

It brought together IPCA members from Ghana, representatives from Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Congo and Gabon, with the International Vice President of IPCA Worldwide, Hon Rev Jean Didier Mboyo, and IPCA Denmark Chair, Chaplain, Mrs Louise Lysholm in attendance.

The Founding Chairman of lPCA  Ghana, Rev. Steve Mensah, said since getting involved in prison ministry satisfied the demands of Jesus Christ in the Bible, the task must be carried out with the cheerfulness it deserved.

He said Jesus Christ identified with prisoners because their conditions were likened to a state of hopelessness. 

He said some of the achievements made by IPCA Ghana over the period included, the establishment of a medical support for the inmates in the various prisons, facilitated educational initiatives for them, assisted in their nutritional needs, provided TV sets and dishes during the COVID 19 pandemic which enabled the inmates to listen to the gospel and other educational programmes, among others.

IPCA Denmark Chair, Chaplain, Mrs Louise Lysholm, who shared strategies to reduce recidivism and conditions which prevail in prisons in Denmark, said since it was damaging for people to be convicted, the Prison Service tried to work on the conscience of the inmates when they were brought in.

The Director- General of the Ghana Prison Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe- Bonnie in a speech read on her behalf by the Director of Health and Community Service, Mrs Fofo Tachie Otoo, commended the leadership and members of IPCA Ghana, for being a dependable and supportive partner. She said it was gratifying to note that when many people, including some Christians, shunned the company of prisoners, IPCA Ghana, solidly stepped in to lend its support.

A leading member of IPCA Ghana, Dcns Dr Mrs Angela Tena Mensah, coordinated the presentation of awards to the Founding Chair of IPCA Ghana, Rev. Steve Mensah, the Director-General of Ghana Prison Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe – Bonnie, Hon Rev. Jean Didier Mboyo, pioneer leaders and some individuals for their outstanding roles in the growth of the association.

SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS

You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.

Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27