Prisons Church starts construction of multi-purpose Library edifice

Accra, Nov 10, GNA - The Cantonments Prisons Interdenominational Church, as part of its 35th Anniversary Celebration has laid a foundation stone for the construction of a multi-purpose Library and Conference Centre for the Service and the general public.

The edifice, which is to be constructed at GH?300,000.00, would be a three- storey structure that would house church offices, a classroom facility, library, a multi-purpose conference hall and a bay for outdoor activities.

Speaking at the Thanksgiving and Fundraising Service to round up activities of the celebration at the church in Accra, Mr Vincent Odotei Sowah, the Member of Parliament for the La-Dadekotopon Constituency, lauded the Prisons Service for its plan to build a Library to serve as a Centre for knowledge acquisition.

Mr Odotei-Sowah, who represented the First Lady, extended her goodwill to the Church.

“During the 2016 electioneering campaign, one issue that kept coming up in my constituency was a library for the people, so I am excited the Prisons Service has come up with that idea, as it will not only serve members of the Service but also other members within the La-Dadekotopon constituency.

"The First Lady is through me pledging to support the project with 50 bags of cement, and I also wish to pledge another 50 bags to support the project,” he stated.

He also pledged to donate one heavy duty multi-functional photocopier to the Church as a sign of appreciation to the prisons community for voting for him to become a parliamentarian, and assured that he would support the Service when issues of bills and legislations concerning it came up in Parliament.

Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament who also represented the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye, congratulated the Church for its laudable vision.

“I find the provision of a library very critical towards the realisation of the reformation mandate of the Prisons Service,” he said. “Libraries are avenues for knowledge acquisition and enhancement, and a fountain for self and national development.

“Therefore, the library will no doubt facilitate your efforts at using education as a tool for reformation”, he said.

He said both the State and the Prisons Service alone could not ensure the creation of effective measures and structures to reform prison inmates, therefore, it is a collective responsibility of which all hands must be on deck.

The Second Deputy Speaker assured the Service that: “Parliament is ever ready to pass or approve bills, financial provisions and legislations to garner the much needed resources for a complete transformation of the Prisons Service. Parliament’s doors are opened, and you are always welcome to ask for our support to execute your mandate."

The Right Reverend Dr Hilliard Dela Dogbe, the Presiding Bishop of the AME Zion Church, in a sermon on the subject: ‘Serving in Humility’, said no matter the level of one’s position in the service of God, one must always embrace humility, respect and dedicate to positively impact the lives of members of the society and also draw them closer to God.

Apostle James Tetteh, the Chaplain General of the Prisons Service, in a goodwill message, called on the leadership and members to renew their efforts to defend their spiritual gains, and maintain a positive Christian environment.

Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Obed Akwa; the acting Director-General of Prisons, Mr Patrick Darko Missah; former Director-General of Prisons, Colonel Ohene Asare, some members of the past and current Prisons Directorate and some Clergymen from other religious organisations and security services.

The celebration witnessed other activities such as donations to the less privileged, an Anniversary Launch, a Candle Light Procession, a Night of Choral Music, an All Saints Day, a Heritage Night, a Night of Praises and Worship, and homecoming activities.

The Cantonments Prisons Interdenominational Church was established on May 18, 1982.

The idea of establishing the church was led by Rev Major William Jonfia, who was on a chaplaincy secondment at Prisons from the Ghana Army.

The move was to bring the word of God to the doorstep of officers and their families within the Cantonments enclave.

GNA

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