The Church of Pentecost’s decision to fund and construct the Nsawam Camp Prison and similar facilities at Ejura and Damongo is rooted in its divine mission to transform lives and society with the values and principles of God’s Kingdom. This bold initiative reflects the Church’s holistic understanding of ministry, one that reaches beyond the pulpit to touch even the most forgotten corners of society.
At the heart of this vision lies a biblical mandate. Scripture calls believers to remember those in prison as though they were together with them (Hebrews 13:3). For The Church of Pentecost, ministering to prisoners is not an act of charity but an expression of the Church’s mission to restore the Imago Dei – the image of God – in every human being. The project, therefore, represents a tangible demonstration of Missio Ecclesia; the mission of the Church to transform lives and communities.
When the Church began the prison project, overcrowding had reached alarming levels. The Nsawam Medium Security Prison, for instance, was originally built to house about 850 inmates but had exceeded 3,000 occupants, creating inhumane conditions for many. Recognising this national concern, the Church partnered with the Ghana Prisons Service to construct modern, fully equipped facilities that would help decongest existing prisons and restore dignity to the incarcerated.
However, these facilities were not envisioned merely as holding centres. They were intentionally designed as Inmate Skill Acquisition and Reformation Centres (ISARC); places of rehabilitation and hope. Each centre includes workshops for vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, and other trades, an infirmary, ICT laboratory, chapel, classrooms, and recreational facilities. Through these, inmates are given the opportunity to acquire life-changing skills, encounter God’s transforming power, and prepare for successful reintegration into society upon their release.
Ultimately, The Church of Pentecost’s prison intervention is more than a construction project; it is a profound act of social transformation. It demonstrates how faith, when expressed through love and practical service, can address national challenges while advancing the redemptive mission of Christ. By merging Christian compassion with patriotic responsibility, the Church continues to lead by example – proving that the gospel is not only to be preached but also lived out for the good of all.
Written by Joseph Attoh
