I will continue with modernisation of prison structures — Ms Baffour-Awuah
The Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Prisons, Service Ms Matilda Baffour-Awuah, has indicated that she would continue with the modernisation of prison structures and the legal framework within which the Prisons Service operates.
Advertisement
Until her appointment was confirmed by President John Dramani Mahama in September, 2013, Ms Baffour-Awuah had acted as the Director-General of the Service from March, 2013.
At a colourful ceremony, which attracted ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, high ranking officials of the security services and a cross section of Ghanaians, she promised to faithfully execute the responsibilities associated with the high office for the benefit of mother Ghana.
Her plans
Outlining her plans at an induction service in Accra, Ms Baffour-Awuah accepted the challenge, and indicated that she had already put in plans to address the challenges the service had been battling with over the years.
To this end, Ms Baffour-Awuah noted that her administration would concern itself with the development of laws and policies, as well as programmes, that would be in the interest of the officers and the entire nation.
She said the service had already embraced the ideals of corrections, with the utmost commitment to ensure a complete shift from being a punitive institution to a purely corrective one.
Ms Baffour-Awuah, who also served as the Corrections Advisor/Mentor in the United Nations Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), pointed out that the Ghana Prisons Service lacked adequate funding, and said she intended to create avenues for the service by using its human resources to generate income for the benefit of prisoners, as well as the service.
Speaking at the induction service, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, challenged institutions in the country to be transformational minded.
He explained that there were too much evil and rot in the system and the earlier the citizens changed, the better.
Prof. Martey noted that the Prisons Service lacked transformation in the living conditions of its officers.
He called on Ghanaian leaders to manage the country’s institutions and minerals to benefit every citizen.
Importance of Prisons Service
Outlining the importance of prisons in the world, the moderator posited that prisons served as places of reform, adding that their benefits could not be overemphasised.
He debunked the idea that prisons were places reserved only for criminals.
Prof. Martey challenged the new DG to ensure that issues involving drug trafficking and homosexuality in the prisons were brought to a halt.
He admonished leaders in Ghana to be of high moral integrity.
“Ghana needs men and women of integrity to lead the nation,” Prof. Martey added.
The moderator further admonished the DG to be prepared for the challenges ahead.
Married with two children, the Prisons Service boss was born on July 23, 1955 at Bantama in the Ashanti Region.