The CCF has been actively engaged in various initiatives, including the release of prisoners facing minimum sentences unable to pay court fines, prison decongestion efforts, and other projects.
The organisation’s most recent endeavour involves establishing an Ex-Convict and Training Village, offering prisoners an opportunity to work and earn an honest living upon release.
During an insightful interaction with the ex-convict on the popular show, McBrown was moved by her compelling story and generously donated GhC 10,000 to support both the individual and the Ex-Convict and Training Village project.
Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng is now encouraging the general public to follow McBrown’s compassionate example and contribute towards the completion of this impactful rehabilitation project.
The Foundation continues to advocate alternative sentencing regimes for individuals who have committed minor crimes.
A fifty-year-old man has recounted circumstances that led him to prison with a heartbreaking revelation that he was imprisoned because he stole three bunches of plantain.
Narrating his ordeal to the Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Mr Kwesi Kyere, who prior to the incident in a community at Akyem Begoro in the Eastern Region, recounted that he had visited the farm of a labourer who use to work for an auntie to harvest some crops.
During his harvest, he trespassed into the farm of another farmer, Mr Pobi (not his real name) and harvested some yields from the farm, unaware of the territorial boundaries. However, in the process, he was approached by the labourer of his auntie and cautioned against plucking the crops from the other farm.
“Sometimes I go to the farm to harvest crops. I harvest cocoyam and other yields. I sell some and keep the rest for personal use. So one day the labourer met me harvesting from the other farm and he told me that was not part of his territory and that it belonged to someone else.I told him I didn’t know about that and he warned me to stay away from that farm and he led me home,” he said.
According to Mr Kyere, Mr Pobi was not around at the time of the incident, “but three days later when he returned he marched straight to my house.”
Mr Kyere recalled that it was at the break of dawn, approximately 4:30 am, when he found himself faced with an unexpected and distressing situation.
Pobi, accompanied by his wife, arrived at his doorstep, gripping him tightly and forcibly leading him to the nearby police station. Despite Mr Kyere’s willingness to make amends and offer compensation, the absence of someone to act as his bail resulted in his unfortunate incarceration.
“I wanted to pay back. I didn’t have the money but then I owned a land and I was willing to sell it and pay any compensation but to no avail,” he said. He was sentenced to an eight (8) year jail term.
Mr Kyere is not the first to be jailed for this kind of crime. In August 2014 a Tarkwa Circuit Court sentenced Dominic Owusu, a 50-year-old electrician, to five years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing three bunches of plantain.
In December last year, a 24-year-old unemployed man was also sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for stealing cassava and plantain. In December the same year, a 57-year-old ‘hungry’ man was jailed for stealing two bunches of plantain. These incarceration has led to calls for the decriminisation of petty crimes in the country.
Attah Aryee and his colleagues at the Ankaful Maximum Prisonhave received three television sets to enable them to watch the ongoing World Cup.
The Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng presented 43 inches television sets to the inmates in fulfillment of a promise to Attah Aryee’s request for the electronic appliances.
Apart from the TVs, Mr. Kwarteng also presented two desktop computers and a 4-horse power mower to the inmates.
The appliances were donated by the Chief Executive Officer of Agyare Real Estates, Stephen Agyare Jnr. to mark his birthday.
Mr. Kwarteng whiles handing over the items to prison officers, urged the public to show love to the inmates as has been done by Mr. Agyare.
He appealed to corporate entities, religious organizations, and individuals to support the prisons to help give them a facelift.
“Not everybody in prison committed a crime. Freedom is priceless so when you are out there enjoying remember those in prison. The prison is not a place to live because your freedom would be curtailed. So let’s come to the aid of the inmates to show them affection,” he said.
Mr. Agyare Jr. feeling blessed by his move, reiterated the plea for the general public to support CCF’s cause to improve prison conditions.
“I am blessed to sponsor the donation and I want you to feel the same. I am pleading with corporate Ghana to support CCF to improve the conditions of the inmates. Let’s come together to help,” he charged.
The Officer-In-Charge of the Ankaful Main Camp Prison, DDP Robbin Asamoah Fenning thanked CCF and Mr. Agyare Jnr. for honouring the demand of the inmates.
“We thank CCF and Mr. Agyare Jnr. for these appliances. Many regard us as outcasts but you have shown love through this donation. CCF’s immense contribution to the welfare of inmates cannot be discounted and we urge other corporate entities and individuals to emulate the gesture,” he said.
Ataa Aryee appealed to CCF for the appliances to enable them to watch the World Cup and also ease their difficulty in weeding the prison compound.
He is serving a 160-year jail term; the longest-serving prisoner at the moment.
