Cape Coast:The Chairman of the Ghana Prisons Service Council, Apostle Ing. Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, has announced discussions with over 100 lawyers from The Church of Pentecost to explore providing legal support for inmates. This initiative comes in response to concerns regarding the difficulties inmates face in accessing court proceedings and legal assistance for appeals.
According to Ghana Web, Apostle Kumi-Larbi revealed this plan during a visit to the Ankaful Prison Complex in the Central Region. The visit was an opportunity for him to engage with inmates who had welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s recent presidential amnesty but highlighted barriers preventing them from pursuing appeals against their convictions.
The delegation, led by Apostle Kumi-Larbi, toured the prison facilities and engaged with prison officers and inmates on welfare, rehabilitation, and operational challenges. Inmates expressed gratitude for the amnesty but stressed the need for legal representation to challenge their convictions.
Apostle Kumi-Larbi mentioned that discussions with the Church’s lawyers aim to provide inmates with legal assistance. However, details about the initiative, such as the start date and how the services will be accessed, were not disclosed. The initiative aims to aid prisoners struggling to navigate the legal process due to limited access to legal assistance.
Additionally, the visit included an assessment of healthcare delivery at the Ankaful Prison Complex. Prof. Ernest Yorke, President of the Ghana Medical Association and a council member, recommended better resource management to improve healthcare services for inmates. He also pledged to seek further support for medical services within the facilities.
The visit is part of the Council’s broader engagement strategy to address operational challenges and strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration efforts within the Ghana Prisons Service. The proposed legal support from the Church of Pentecost members is expected to be a significant component of these efforts, benefiting inmates needing assistance with court documents and appeals. Further details are awaited to define the initiative's scope and implementation.