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‘Remand prisoners, cause of over population in prisons’
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The International Prisons Chaplains Association (IPCA-Ghana), has held its seventh anniversary and general conference with a call on all to come on board to assist prison inmates.
The conference which took place in Kumasi, on Friday, November 24, was under the theme, “Telling our story: Bringing others on board.”
It drew participants from Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Guinea, while other members from Cameroon, La Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, participated online.
A former Attorney General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, who chaired the conference bemoaned the fact that many prisons in developing countries were faced with over population, a problem that is compounded by remand prisoners.
He encouraged the chaplains to make useful case studies on how they could implement effective programmes in other correctional facilities.
He said this approach would allow them to learn from one another, identify areas for improvement, and adopt strategies to better serve the diverse spiritual needs of the inmates.
He expressed the view that the conference would inspire and unite the chaplains towards providing the spiritual and other support to the inmates, so that lessons learnt through critical analysis and meaningful discussions would lead them to shape the future of chaplaincy within the Prisons system in their respective countries.
The President of IPCA, Rev Steve Mensah acknowledged the immense contributions the chaplains had made to uplift prison inmates spiritually, physically and the provision of medical and educational needs of prisoners.
He indicated that IPCA Ghana has planned to establish a Post-Conviction Youth Centre, particularly for young ex-convicts where they would stay at least for a year, strengthen their skills to enable them to earn some income before they leave to settle in society.
The International Vice President of IPCA, Rev Jean Didier Mboyo, also the Head of IPCA, UN Team, called on society to change its posture of ignoring and abandoning Prison inmates, since circumstances could send anyone to prison.
Nana Dr Appiagyei Dankawoso l, Omanhene Kyeame of the Asante Juaben Traditional Area, who was the Guest Speaker, said the conditions in the country’s prisons called for urgent support from all and sundry.
He commended IPCA for the Anti-Crime talks organised in Senior High Schools to educate students on issues which could send them to jail.
IPCA members present included, Deaconess Dr Mrs Angela Mensah, Rev Dr Evans Ekanem, Rev Atta Bilson, Mrs Gifty Mussey Azeko, Rev Nicholas Awuah- Sarpong, Rev Philip Ahodokpo and Pastor Adjei Sowah.
By Raymond Kyekye
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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