The International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA), Ghana, has taken its Anti-Crime Talk Programme to the Mfantsipim School at Cape Coast in the Central Region.
It followed a similar event at St Augustine’s College, after moving the programme to the region.
It has held similar programmes in second-cycle schools in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions.
The topics treated at the Anti-Crime Session included “Staying Away from Illicit Drugs”, “What sends Young People to Jail and Why they must be Avoided” and “Maintaining a good character whilst in School”.
At the event aimed to educate students on actions that are taken for granted but can land one in jail, the National Chairman of IPCA Ghana, Rev. Steve Mensah, impressed upon the students to desist from violent demonstrations as it could predispose them to imprisonment.
Youngsters
Rev. Mensah, the founding Chairman of IPCA Ghana, said the association was concerned about the high number of youngsters in prison.
Therefore, he said IPCA decided to educate young people in SHSs to avoid prison.
An Executive Member of IPCA, Rev. CSP Adubaw Ogoe, warned the students that prison conditions could be harsh and, therefore, urged them to focus on their studies.
Caution
He said they should avoid stealing, fighting, womanising and possessing dangerous weapons, as these actions could lead to imprisonment.
A Member of IPCA, Rev. Emmanuel Kangah, outlined the harmful effects of illicit drug use and emphasised the importance of students distancing themselves from peers who might influence them to engage in such behaviour.
“There are too many young people in prison because of illicit drugs,” he stressed.
The Central Regional Chairman of IPCA Ghana, Rev. Dr Evans Ekanem, said the association was ready to extend the programme to other SHSs.
