The 2022/23 National Service Year Group of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research ended their one-year national service with a donation at the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prison and the Nsawam Camp Prison
The group, through its leadership, undertook a visit to the Nsawam Prisons to donate items, including sixty (60) boxes of sanitary pads containing thousand four hundred and forty (1440) packs and eleven (11) bags of thrift clothes, shoes, shaving sticks and toiletries.
The initiative, aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by inmates in prisons, exemplifies the group’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and actively contributing to the welfare of the inmates.
Group photograph of 2022/23 NMIMR NSPs together with Dr. Akoto, Patron and some officials at the Nsawam Camp Prisons
Mr. Richard Asamoah Adjei, President of the 2022/23 NMIMR NSP Group, explained that the donation is in line with the requirement put in place by the Institute for every national service year group to undertake corporate social responsibility during their one-year stay at the Institute. “Every national service year group that comes to Noguchi is obliged to undertake a project that will impact communities. As a group, we decided to donate boxes of sanitary pads, toiletries, shoes and thrift clothing to the inmates after an assessment carried out together with some officers-in-charge in the prisons, coupled with the importance of menstrual hygiene in ensuring the improved health and well-being of women”, Mr. Asamoah Adjei said.
Ms. Rafiatu Abdul-Mumin, Organizing Secretary of the group, revealed that the charitable cause was made possible with financial support from management and members of the group. Adding that “we estimated a budget of GHC15, 000 for the entire project. However, through our monthly contributions, as a group, we were able to raise GHC 7,000. Due to budget constraints, our donation initially focused on the female inmates. However, we thought it wise to include the males as well which was made possible with the additional support given by the Institute management”.
Group photograph of 2022/23 NMIMR NSPs together with Dr. Akoto, Patron and some officials at the Nsawam Medium Security Female Prisons
Adding her voice, Ms. Ama Ofosua, Vice President of the NSP, highlighted the importance of ensuring the continuity of this worthy cause. She said, “Even though the processes involved in getting donations done were not easy, I believe it is important for the next batch of National Service personnel to continue with it. The work becomes a bit easier when there is enough support from management.
In remarks, Mrs. Victoria Adewodah, Assistant Director of Prisons and Officer-in-Charge, revealed that the initiative by the group is one the outfit has not seen in a while. She used the occasion to commend the group for their selfless efforts.
“On behalf of the staff and inmates of this outfit, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to you for donating these items to us. We are most grateful for the kind gesture exhibited”, Mrs. Adewodah reiterated.
