The Ghana Library Authority has organised a Reading Amnesty at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison under the theme “Free to Read”, aimed at encouraging inmates to use their temporary situation as a period of personal growth.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr Alhassan Ziblim, commended the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and prison officials for their commitment, urging inmates to continue making themselves and their families proud by pursuing education.
“Don’t allow a temporary situation to leave a permanent mark,” he said.
He also praised prison officers and teachers for their dedication, noting that their efforts in supporting inmates’ education should not be overlooked.
He further encouraged inmates not to limit themselves, but to take advantage of their time in custody to further their education, adding that their determination to study despite restricted freedom shows they deserve more opportunities, including scholarships.
Mr Ziblim said that when inmates are given more opportunities, they are able to give out their best.
“The Ghana Library Authority will help renovate the library to meet modern standards, in line with libraries across the country.
“In our next visit, the Authority will donate three laptops to the Nsawam Medium Prison School for inmates pursuing further studies, to facilitate advanced training and learning,” he said.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Mr Evans Korletey-Tene, said the Authority’s core vision is to connect every corner of Ghana to vital knowledge resources.
“We believe that access to information should not be restricted to the ‘outside world’; therefore, we are intentionally extending these resources to our prison facilities,” he said.
He noted that the initiative is driven by the Authority’s commitment to promoting literacy.
“We view education as the fundamental cornerstone of personal development and successful rehabilitation,” he added.
Mr Korletey-Tene said that in supporting this journey, the Authority intends to evolve beyond traditional learning methods.
“Our goal is to lead inmates beyond physical hard-copy books by providing access to e-books, a wider range of contemporary titles, and digital platforms to facilitate modern research and skills development,” he explained.
The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Educational and Reformational Facilities, Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Mr Paul Nuobepour, commended the Library Authority for the donation and said the educational initiative continues to yield remarkable results.
“We are proud to announce that seven inmates have successfully graduated from the undergraduate programme, with three students achieving First Class honours,” he said.
He noted that this success demonstrates that with the right resources, academic excellence is achievable regardless of one’s environment.
The Headteacher of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison School, Mr Martin Osei, also commended the Authority and appealed for more textbooks aligned with the current curriculum approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Ghana Education Service.
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