US-based Ghanaian Donates Academic Books To Prison Service

A Ghanaian resident in South Dakota in the United States of America, Nii Laryea, yesterday presented assorted academic books valued at $ 5,000 to the Ghana Prisons Service at a short ceremony in Accra.

The books are on subjects like Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Agriculture, Education and Economics. They were donated to support the education programme of the Ghana Prisons Service.

Making the presentation, with the support from Brokens Chapter of Rotary Club and BTS of Kentucky, Mr. Laryea said the donation was necessitated following a visit he made to the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons last year to conduct a brief quantitative study on epidemiology and armed robbery.

He said his interaction with the prisoners amply showed that they needed educational materials to equip them in their teachings at the various prison establishments.

He noted that the inmates could do more if they were given additional support, including education, thus, his quest to solicit support from the Brokens Chapter of the Rotary Club and BTS of Kentucky who helped with the provision and transportation of the books to Ghana.

Mr. Laryea said “the role of the Ghana Prisons Service in transforming the lifestyle of inmates cannot be overemphasized,” saying that though some of the inmates entered the prisons without any trade, profession or educational background, the Service had been very instrumental in adding value to their lives with some contributing immensely to national development after their release.”

Mr. Laryea promised that he would mobilise more educational materials and other items that would be of good use to the Prisons Service.

A Deputy Commanding Officer, Assistant Director of Prisons, Florence Asantewa Appiah, who received the items on behalf of the Director of Prisons thanked Mr. Laryea for the immense support and assured that the books would be put to good use, saying that the Service would not hesitate to impart trade and learning skills to the inmates to enable them to contribute meaningfully to society on their release.