German Embassy supports Nsawam, Ankafo Annex prisons with carpentry equipment

The German Embassy with support from the POS Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated carpentry equipment and materials worth GH₵‎52, 000.00 to the Nsawam and Ankafo Annex prisons in the Eastern Region.

These include an angle grinder, planing machine, sanding machine with table, spraying machine, universal sewing machine and G-Clamps.

The rest are builders square, record sash clamp, chisel set, saw blades, wood blade and wood drill bit set, multipurpose drill backing pad and backing pad.

Mr Daniel Krull, German Ambassador to Ghana, said the gesture was in fulfilment of a promise by the Embassy to support the prisons.

He explained that Ghana served as a model for others in respect of rule of law and human rights, as a solid basis for a healthy future for the people.

Mr Krull stated that this also involves respect for human rights of prison inmates, hence the need for the Embassy to help improve their vocational skills.

Mr Krull further said it was to ensure that once the inmates leave the walls of the prison, they would be able to support themselves and families, and also contribute meaningfully to society.

He expressed the hope that the equipment would be used for the intended purpose, saying that, “I want to come back and see how the tools are used, what they have achieved, the furniture they have designed, learn about their experience and meet very skillful carpenters in a short time.”

Mr Jonathan Osei Owusu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, POS Foundation, noted that as partners in the criminal justice sector, whilst they look for legal assistance for inmates, they were also seeking their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“This is a critical component because when they come out after some of them have been convicted and served their sentences successfully, they need rehabilitation, hence, the donation of the equipment,” he noted.

Mr Owusu said, “we are giving them modern carpentry equipment that would require less effort to get the work done.”

Additionally, he said with the introduction to the equipment, the inmates would acquire the needed skills to make them productive after completion of their various sentences.

Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP), Patrick Thomas Seidu, the Eastern Regional Commander and Officer in Charge of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, expressed appreciation to the Embassy and the Foundation for the support.

He said the support had come at the right time since most of the equipment at the prisons were outdated.

He said “We are very happy with this support from the Embassy because they are also giving us after-sales support services. And we can contact them at any time when we have challenges with the machines. I think this one will go a long way to at least change the dynamics at the carpentry shop.” – GNA