He said no matter the circumstance that sent them to prison, what was important was that they came out repented, reformed, refined and capable of fitting into society.

Rev. Kwadzo-Kuma made the request when he led a delegation of the church to make a donation of assorted food items to the Akuse Reformative Prisons in Akuse in the Eastern Region.

‘’Today you are here as prisoners, but if you take instructions from the prison officers and follow the laid-down rules and regulations that guide life in prison, you will come home as repented, refined, reformed and morally upright persons who would fit much better into society than you were before you were imprisoned.

‘Do not mind what society will say about you when you come back home, but stay determined to chart a new path for yourself, knowing that you are a changed person,” he stressed.

He said Jesus Christ loved everyone, including prison inmates no matter the crime or sin they had committed. He said, importantly, it was expected of them to repent and resolve not to repeat their mistakes and also become reconciled with Christ.

He said because every human being was a potential sinner, those who found themselves in prison must have a positive outlook on life and resolve to become transformed.

Rev. Kwadzo-Kuma pledged the continuous support of the church to the Akuse Prison. He said the church’s mission to the prison was in fulfilment of the mandate in the scriptures that directs Christians to visit and encourage the disadvantaged.

He encouraged other well-meaning Ghanaians to find time to visit the prisons and encourage inmates as a means of promoting their reformation.

The Officer in charge of Religious Affairs at the Akuse Reformative Prisons, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) Henry Darko, received the items on behalf of the prison.

He said the prison was grateful to the church for the donation, and added that taking care of prisoners was now a collective responsibility and not that of the Prisons Service and government alone.

ASP Darko further urged the public to see ex-convicts as members of the society and show them love but not stigmatise them.