From Kweku Afriyie, Central Region
The Prison Ladies Association (PRILAS) at the Ankaful Main Camp in the Central Region has held a welfare distribution ceremony for its members as a symbol of showing love to one another within the association.
The ceremony, which was spearheaded by the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Ankaful Main Camp, CSP Linda Anyema-Ma Apore, was dubbed, “Valentine Bonanza” as part of this year’s Chocolate Day celebration, also known globally as Valentine’s Day — a day dedicated to expressing affection to loved ones.
The event was also held under the ThinkPrison360 Degrees Initiative, which was launched last year by the Director-General of Prisons, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Esq., to champion the welfare of officers and help them create wealth.
Speaking at the event, CSP Linda Anyema-Ma Apore emphasised the importance of staff welfare and unity within the Main Camp. She noted that the Valentine’s Day celebration offers a unique opportunity to extend tangible gestures of care to hardworking officers who have dedicated themselves to the service.
“The ‘Valentine Bonanza’ is not only here to provide material support but also to serve as a moment for the ladies of Ankaful Main Camp to bond, share smiles, and reinforce the spirit of sisterhood within the Service.
“We are taking this opportunity to honour officers who have performed exceptionally well for the Service in general and Ankaful Main Camp in particular through their dedication,” she stated.
In his remarks, CSP Ernest Agyei encouraged the officers to uphold integrity in their operations, urging them to do their best for the betterment of the Prison Service.
Every member received welfare packages, which included a branded pack of cooking oil and crates of eggs. Sergeant Philomena Dadzie was awarded “Best Dressed Officer” for the occasion and received a Kente cloth.
In a related development, the Central Regional branch of the Ghana Tourism Association collaborated with the Rotaract Club to celebrate Valentine’s Day with inmates of the Ankaful Main Camp Prison. They donated a polytank and hand-washing equipment to help improve hygiene at the facility.
Speaking with the media, the Central Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Association, Charles Buabeng, disclosed that they chose to celebrate with the inmates because the season presents an opportunity to show love and bring hope.
He admonished organisations and corporate institutions to carry out their corporate social responsibilities by assisting people in need, such as the inmates.
“This is a correctional centre, and the government is doing its best for them, but there is an opportunity for corporate Ghana to step in and fulfill its social responsibilities. All hands must be on deck to complement the efforts of the officers,” Mr. Buabeng appealed.
At the correctional centre, inmates are given vocational training, including Kente weaving, sewing, shoemaking, among others, with some of their products displayed during the event.
Mr. Charles Buabeng encouraged off-takers to patronize the inmates’ products so that their businesses will grow and help achieve the purpose of the training.
OIC CSP Linda Anyema-Ma Apore expressed her profound gratitude to the Ghana Tourism Authority for choosing Ankaful Main Camp Prison to celebrate Chocolate Day with them.
She called on everyone to extend their love to inmates at the prison, noting that the facility is not solely for punishment, but also provides inmates with a second chance at life through vocational training.
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