The Head Pastor of Omega House Chapel International of the Assemblies of God Church Ghana in Koforidua Prophet Albert Asihene Arjarquah has appealed to Parliament to expedite the passage of the Community Service Bill (non-custodial Law) to help decongest prisons in the country.
Prophet Arjarquah is hopeful that the passage of the bill would help mitigate overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons as offenders of misdemeanor will instead of imprisonment be made to engage in community work, pay fines, or given probation order that would be more beneficial to the country than the current custodial sentence.
Prisons in Ghana were overcrowded by 3,247 inmates as of May ending this year. Out of the total prison population of 13,192 inmates, 1,554 were on remand whilst 11,638 had been convicted.
Speaking to the media Saturday, June 19,2021 after donating musical Keyboard, Speaker, large quantities of toiletries, hand sanitizer, food, soft drinks, sandals, bags of sachet water among others, costing about Ghc43,000 to the Koforidua Prison as part of his annual donation and visitation to the prisons, Prophet Albert Asihene Arjarquah said “everybody in life needs somebody and the people in prison need us more reason why Assemblies of God Ghana Omega House Chapel International and Prophet Asihene Arjarquah Ministry decided to undertake this project to make sure those inmates also feel free and feel not neglected that they also part of the journey of life”.
He decried overcrowding in the prison and called for fast-tracking of the passage of the community service bill (noncustodial law) to decongest the prisons in Ghana.
“Somebody stole a fowl and the person is inside for two years somebody stole banana he has been imprisoned so there is the need for non-custodial sentencing to be introduced to ensure that such people are handed community service. So the institutions in charge like Parliament and interior ministry should fast track the passage of the bill.I must commend The Church of Pentecost for the good job that they’ve done in helping to decongest the prison”.
The Deputy Commander in Charge of Koforidua Prisons, Joseph Asabre said they were overwhelmed by the quantities of items donated by the Prophet stating that it would go a long way to improve the living conditions of the inmates.
He assured that all the items will be used for its intended purposes refuting perceptions that Prison officers divert such donations.
Prophet Albert Asihene Arjarquah accompanied by his wife Mrs.Margret Asihene Arjarquah, Pastor Peasah, Abraham Lincoln and other leaders of Omega House Chapel fellowshipped and prayed for the inmates.
Source :Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
