SUNYANI, BONO REGION – In a historic first for the facility, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Sunyani , has administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 13 inmates at the Sunyani Central Prisons during an official pastoral visit.

The ceremony, which included 12 males and 1 female, marks the inaugural conferral of the sacrament within the prison walls. The historic event was made possible through the dedicated pastoral efforts of Rev. Fr. ASP Emmanuel Asare Bediako, Diocesan Priest of Sunyani and Chaplain to the Sunyani Central Prisons.

Addressing the congregation, Bishop Gyamfi drew from Luke’s Gospel to emphasize that while the inmates face physical confinement, they possess spiritual liberty through Christ. He charged the newly confirmed to embrace reformation and avoid sin, regardless of their circumstances.

The visit was supported entirely by Catholic faithful and Diocesan initiatives. Pax Garment , the sewing center of the Sunyani Diocese, provided liturgical vestments. Happy Gee Ventures , owned by a parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Nkwabeng, supplied 700 soft drinks.

Additionally, Agape Ministries, a group comprising parishioners from Sunyani Cathedral and Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Nkwabeng, contributed 700 servings of Sobolo and assorted pastries. The Bishop personally presented five boxes of clothing, shoes, and bags to the inmates.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Addai expressed gratitude for the Diocese’s sustained prison apostolate and presented the Bishop with a locally crafted smock made by inmates engaged in vocational training. He appealed for sewing machines, leatherworking tools, and laptops to further support rehabilitation efforts.

The Bishop was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Isaac Peh (Director of Communications) and Rev. Fr. Stephen Kumah (Assistant Cathedral Administrator). Donations were received by Regional Commander DDP Thompson Otsokpo.

Source: DEPSOCOM Report