The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has assembled a team of lawyers to appeal cases of inmates at the Kumasi Central Prisons.
The lawyers will provide free legal services to persons wrongfully convicted and to those imprisoned due to lack of proper legal representation. The initiative aims to ensure justice for the inmates and help decongest the prisons.
Speaking during a visit to the Kumasi Central Prisons, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who is also a lawyer, described the mission as a duty to society.
“Some of them are in prison because they didn’t have legal representation. Being a lawyer, I know that with proper legal support, some cases could be appealed and justice served,” he said.
The team has already reviewed several dockets believed to contain cases that could be appealed for acquittal or reduced sentences.
“I spoke to the legal department and I have seen some of the dockets. There are ten of them that I think we can successfully appeal,” Mr. Assafuah added.
The MP, who is among the lawyers representing the inmates, has contributed GH¢20,000 as seed funding for the programme.
Through the Vincent Ekow Assafuah Foundation, he has also partnered with Jofel Restaurant in Kumasi to provide packed meals to inmates in celebration of Easter. Over 2,500 inmates benefited from the gesture, which included health screening.
The Kumasi Central Prisons are preparing to launch a Medical and Equipment Bank initiative aimed at improving access to essential medicines and healthcare services for inmates.
The Officer in Charge of the Kumasi Central Prisons, DDP James Mwinyelle, said the initiative could significantly improve conditions within the facility. The project will rely on support from stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, civil society organisations, and individuals.
Meanwhile, the Kumasi Central Prisons expressed their appreciation for the continuous support from the Vincent Ekow Assafuah Foundation, presenting the MP with a citation in recognition of his contributions.
