Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (middle) received a delegation from GAF led by Charles Osei Asibey
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has pledged her commitment to prioritize sports as a major tool in enhancing the image of the Ghana Prisons Service.
She said sports contribute immensely to building officers and inmates both physically and mentally.
The Director-General made this call when a delegation from the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), led by President Charles Osei Asibey, paid a working visit to congratulate her on her new role and discuss the growth of armwrestling.
“I have played and administered sports throughout my life. This made me disciplined, active, and has played a key role in where I am today. Sports built my confidence and gave me the platform to shine, so I know what sports can do and how they can transform individuals into becoming better people,” she said.
She added that the Directorate has begun engaging with other authorities to encourage inmates and officers of the Prisons Service to actively participate in sports for rehabilitation and unearthing more talent.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie further assured that her office would do its utmost to make sports a frontline initiative in the service to change the narrative and image of the Prison Service.
“This transformational plan will serve as a cornerstone for the successful reintegration of prisoners, equipping them with essential skills and confidence for the future,” she added.
The Ghana Prisons Service has paid its dues in the development of sports, having previously held the baton for producing top sportsmen and women who have won laurels for Ghana.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) and the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), said a relationship with the Prisons Service would yield positive results, culminating in the Prisons Service producing national and continental champions.
He recalled years past when the Ghana Prisons Service was a formidable competitor in sports, producing notable athletes like Felix Aboagye, Eric Nkansah, and Mark Anthony Awere for Ghana.
“Sports, when revamped in the service, will have diverse benefits. They can be used for public relations, rebranding purposes, and as an internally generated fund for the Service. A lot must be done to reverse the dwindling fortunes,” he said.
He congratulated Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie and wished her well in the years ahead.
The Ghana Prisons Service and the Ghana Armwrestling Federation mutually agreed at the meeting to immediately commence the training and establishment of an armwrestling club, comprising officers and inmates, to dominate the local scene.
Present at the meeting were the Vice President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Dr. Kofi Addo-Agyekum; Technical Director, Mr Husseini Akuetteh Addy; Greater Accra Armwrestling Secretary, Mr Henry Quarshie; and Mr Prosper Ashiquaye of the Volta Regional Armwrestling.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service has since been named a patron of Ghana Armwrestling.