Say "no" to narcotics - Kwaw Kesse appeals

Ghana's King of Street, Kwaw Kesse, affectionately called "Abodam" has appealed to Ghanaians to abstain from narcotic drugs in order to avoid any jail term.

In an exclusive interview on Peace FM's Entertainment Review with host Kwame Adjetia Adjei, Kwaw Kesse bemoaned his remand in the Kumasi Central Prisons, stressing that life in prison should not be desired.

According to him, the number of days and weeks he spent in prison taught him a lesson that "prison is not a place for a human being to be."

This he explained is due to the harsh living conditions in Ghana's prisons.

He recounted that while in prison, he was denied the privilege of having a sound sleep but for certain individuals who adored him as a "music icon" in the nation; he would have also missed his bathing sessions.

He also told the host that the situation in prison transcend human imagination since some inmates have to squeeze themselves a room, which was initially made for 10 people, but houses about 74 people; just to catch some sleep.

Abodam further expressed worry over the way of living in the prison, asserting that the inmates, as well as the warders, are equally prone to some chronic diseases.

He therefore appealed to government and human right activists in the country to ensure that the prisons are renovated and kept proper for the prisoners.

“If the government can, it should keep that place clean a bit because it is human beings that are there. They’re not animals, so they can also feel a bit at home.”

He added that during his incarceration in the Kumasi Central Prison in Ashanti Region, he advised the inmates to let their experiences in prison reform their conduct when they come back into the society.

“I was telling them that you people should try, when you’re set free, to do something that can help you," he said.

Kwaw Kesse also wants the youth and the entire nation to say "no" to consumption of narcotic drugs.

"I will use my experience to preach to the people out there that even if it’s ice water you will sell to earn a living, because where I went had several armed robbers; others too do not know what they did to be incarcerated but if they can, they should try and stay away from trouble.”