A total of 63 inmates from the Nsawam Medium Security Prison have successfully completed various academic programs through the University of Cape Coast (UCC), earning degrees under the Prison Inmates Tertiary Education Programme (PITEP).
These graduates were awarded qualifications, including Bachelor’s degrees in Commerce (Accounting and Management) and Education (Junior High School Education), facilitated through UCC’s College of Distance Education (CoDE).
The graduation ceremony, held within the prison premises, formed part of the university’s 57th congregation but was the first-ever convocation under PITEP.
PITEP is an initiative led by the Plan Volta Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO), which provides incarcerated individuals with free higher education opportunities, allowing them to pursue university degrees while serving their sentences.
This program, run in collaboration with the Ghana Prisons Service, aims to rehabilitate inmates by equipping them with academic and professional skills to improve their chances of reintegrating into society after their release.
Best Student's Reflections on the Journey
Matthew Milluzieh, who was named the Best Student of the graduating cohort, highlighted that completing a degree while in prison was not just about academic achievement but also about self-reflection and personal growth.
He stated that their educational journey allowed them to critically analyze their past decisions, helping them understand the consequences of their actions.
“When we entered these walls, we were not students but individuals in need of reform. Today, we graduate not only with degrees but as transformed and ambitious individuals who will challenge society’s perception that being an inmate equates to being a lifelong criminal,” he declared.
Milluzieh, who has been serving a 20-year prison sentence since 2018, stood as a testament to the transformative power of education in rehabilitation.
In recognition of outstanding academic performance, two other inmates were awarded special scholarships to continue their education.
The ceremony also honored various individuals and organizations that played instrumental roles in supporting the program. Plaques of honor and citations were presented to acknowledge their contributions to the success of PITEP.
A Milestone in Rehabilitation and Reformation
Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, described the inmates' graduation as a demonstration of resilience, commitment, and the power of rehabilitation.
He encouraged the graduates to view this milestone not as the end of their journey but as the beginning of their role as change agents, leaders, and role models who would inspire others to pursue education and personal development.
Commending the Ghana Prisons Service for its forward-thinking approach to rehabilitation, Mr. Terlabi stressed that education serves as a powerful tool for transformation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inmate rehabilitation, stating that authorities would continue to work alongside stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), to achieve this goal.
A Call for a Mindset Shift Among Inmate Graduates
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, urged the graduates to embrace a complete mindset shift, emphasizing that education should not just be about earning degrees but about true transformation.
She reassured the inmates that the Prisons Service remains dedicated to their well-being and development, advocating for a dedicated budget to support educational programs for inmates. According to her, sustained investment in inmate education is crucial for their successful reintegration into society.
Funding Challenges and the Need for Support
In a speech read on his behalf, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. John Nyarko Boampong, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustaining the initiative despite financial constraints.
He revealed that UCC has so far invested over GH¢2.5 million in the program through a fee-waiver policy that covers essential academic services such as tutorials, module printing, and examinations.
Prof. Boampong emphasized that inmate students are not required to pay any fees to access the program. However, he expressed concerns about the rising costs of running the initiative, which has made it difficult to expand to other prisons across the country.
To ensure its continuity and expansion, he called on stakeholders to provide greater support for the initiative, underscoring the importance of education in rehabilitation and societal reintegration.
.jpg)
