Prisons Boss Vows to Use Sports to Transform Ghana Prisons

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has promised to make sports a top priority in efforts to improve the image of the Service.

She said sports play a key role in building both the physical and mental strength of officers and inmates.

She made these remarks when a team from the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), led by its President, Charles Osei Asibey, paid a visit to congratulate her on her new position and to discuss the development of armwrestling.

“I have played and managed sports throughout my life. It helped me become disciplined, confident, and active. Sports shaped me and gave me opportunities, so I understand how powerful it can be in transforming lives,” she said.

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie revealed that the Prisons Service has started talks with other agencies to encourage both inmates and officers to take part in sports. She assured that her leadership will work hard to make sports an important part of the Service’s reform process.

“This plan will help reintegrate inmates successfully by equipping them with useful skills and confidence for the future,” she added.

Ghana’s Prisons Service has a history of producing top athletes for the country. Mr. Osei Asibey said partnering with the Prisons Service can help produce new national and continental champions in armwrestling. He mentioned past sporting heroes like Felix Aboagye, Eric Nkansah, and Mark Anthony Awere, who came from the Prisons Service.

He said reviving sports within the Service would bring many benefits, including public relations, rebranding, and income generation. He praised Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie and wished her well in her new role.

Both parties agreed to start training officers and inmates and set up an armwrestling club. Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie has also been named a patron of Ghana Armwrestling.