It was all joy and merrymaking at the Manhyia Local Prison in Kumasi when officials of Jackson College of Education (JCE) donated assorted items including food and drinks to the inmates on Tuesday.

The excited inmates could not hold their feelings but dance their hearts out in appreciation to the gesture. Each of the over 300 inmates was provided with a packed lunch, soft drink and bottled water. They also received other toiletries such as bar soaps, washing powder and toilet paper.

In addition, the delegation led by Mrs Theodosia Jackson, Principal of the College also presented a cheque for GHC 10,160.00 for re-roofing of the cells.

Mrs Jackson after the presentation said the donation was in response to an appeal by authorities of the prison for financial support to re-roof the cells which has been leaking badly for years. She disclosed that the authority proposed or estimated an amount of GH¢ 10,160.00 as a total cost of the re-roofing.

‘As an institution which has the track record of supporting various prisons in the region over the years, we decided to help’, she stated.

The Principal added that since the donation coincided with  Christmas, the College considers it appropriate to feed all the inmates.

The gesture, she noted, was to show them love and make them feel they are part of the larger society and important to nation building.

She counselled them not to give up on life and see their current situation as an opportunity to chart a new path. Their confinement in the prison, Mrs Jackson added, should not push them farther from their dreams since there is life after prison.

Mrs Jackson announced that the College will offer admission to those who have completed Senior High School and are willing to further their education.

A Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Hanson Awuku, the Commander in Charge of the Facility applauded Jackson College of Education for their swift intervention.

He said the leakages in all the six cells at the prison left the inmates in a very terrible situation any time it rained.  He said the donation was, therefore, a great relief and that the benefactors deserved commendation. He asked for similar support from other benevolent organisations and individuals.

He further praised the College for providing food and other basic needs for the inmates, some of whom had never been visited by their families.