Several inmates of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison have undergone a four-week intensive skills programme under The Fair Justice Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose aim is to provide advocacy, legal services and quality of life/vocation to both inmates and former inmates, with support from the Australian High Commission.
The 2nd cohort of inmates graduated from the Fair Justice Initiative (FJI) Millinery programme under the tutelage of award-winning Ghanaian milliner and accessory maker, Velma Owusu-Bempah.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Nsawam Prison on August 31st, 2019, Mrs Owusu-Bempah praised her students for the drive and effort they’ve put into the programme despite the situation they found themselves.
“I run the same course in my newly established Millinery Academy in Accra, and I have to say that my students here at Nsawam Prison have been some of my best.” She remarked
The inmates were presented with certificates for completing the course.
According to the conveners of this initiative, the purpose of the programme is to provide a sustainable source of income to inmates after they leave the prison walls.
ADP Edmund Boye-Odonkor of the Ghana prison services also underscored the need for such laudable initiatives to be introduced to other prisons in the country.
Australian High Commission
Speaking on behalf of the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, the programs director of the Australian High Commission Mrs Jennifer Turkson said; “it is a shining example of the talents that all the inmates of the Nsawam prison and the initiative was in line with the High Commission’s aid programme”
Founder of FJI, Ms Sarah Mary Adetola, explained to guests and inmates that her NGO has a firm resolve to help the marginalized in our societies and less vulnerable.
The programme she believes will greatly reduce the rate of recidivism among inmates and urged inmates to put the skills they’ve acquired into good use.
Gratitude
The Deputy Director of Prisons, (DDP) Joana Tackie-Otoo, was full of praise for the initiative and thanked the FJI, the Australian High Commission, the Gender Ministry and other stakeholders for their immense support in supporting a reformation process for the inmates.
On behalf of graduants, Fatima El-douadi, thanked the staff of the prison, instructors and the FJI for the fresh hope instilled in them and promised not to let them down.