Accra, Ghana, July 18, 2024 - Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on July 18, calls for global engagement to make the world a better place. This day honors the legacy of Nelson Mandela and his dedication to the service of humanity, emphasizing conflict resolution, race relations, human rights protection, reconciliation, gender equality, the rights of children and other vulnerable groups. The day also underscores the importance of promoting humane conditions of imprisonment, raising awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society, and valuing the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance. On Nelson Mandela Day, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) calls for the universal practical application of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners – the Nelson Mandela Rules.
This year, the UNODC Ghana Prison Rehabilitation and Reform Programme, in collaboration with the Ghana Prisons Service marked Nelson Mandela International Day with a week of activities including sporting games at the country’s biggest prison facility, Nsawam Medium Security Prison (Male) and a stakeholder’s launch of grant-based projects with Civil Society Organizations.
The sporting event received participation from both the male and female prison facilities and featured spirited football and basketball games, generous donations, and inspiring messages reaffirming the commitment to aligning Ghana’s prisons further closer with the Nelson Mandela Rules.
The 18 July commemoration was more than just an event; it was a powerful reminder of the potential for positive change within prison walls. It reinforced the message that although incarcerated, prisoners are part of our communities and in most cases will be released and returned to our communities, therefore what happens to them during their incarceration matters. The highlight of the event was the commemorative basketball game and a football match between the Officers Team and Prisoners Team (Inmates 11 vs Officers). These matches, filled with enthusiasm, showcased the role of sports and recreation in rehabilitation, fostering teamwork, discipline, physical and social skills, and mental well-being. Sports reduce stress and aggression, providing constructive outlets and building self-esteem and life skills. This holistic approach benefits individuals and creates a safer prison environment, reducing recidivism and aiding successful reintegration.
As the matches progressed, the camaraderie between the teams was palpable. The cheers from both sides reflected a sense of community and mutual respect, transcending the walls of the prison. The games were not just about winning but about building relationships and creating positive memories.
Mr. Christoph Capelle, UNODC Programme Coordinator for prison and penal reform in Ghana, speaking on behalf of the UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, Dr. Amado Philip de Andrés, reiterated the call for more Member States within the region to follow Ghana’s example as a champion and Member State of the Group of Friends of the Nelson Mandela Rules.
The Ghana Football Association Foundation also joined the celebration, with notable figures such as John Paintsil, Assistant Black Stars Coach, and Fatau Dauda, Black Stars Goalkeeper’s Coach, highlighting the potential of sports for rehabilitation and reintegration. The involvement of these renowned former national team (the Ghana Black Stars) players in the kick-off added excitement and great inspiration to the day’s activities. As they shook hands with the Inmates 11 team, one could tell the warmth and deluge of affection, almost to the point of tearing, that exuded from the prisoners, and which was matched with resounding cheers from the crowds especially the youth who make up the majority of the prisoner population. It resonated the UNODC’s position that maintaining social bonds during imprisonment have an overall benefit to the community and locking people up and forgetting about them harms us all.
UNODC donated sporting equipment to both male and female facilities and receiving the donation on behalf of the Director General, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Deputy Director-General of Prisons/Administration, welcomed the initiative by UNODC and the efforts to enhance the promotion of sports as a rehabilitative tool in Ghana prisons. This is in line with the United Nations System Common Position on Incarceration which prescribes that access to constructive activities for prisoners should equally include physical exercise and sports, and spiritual, cultural and recreational programmes.
Following the sporting activities was the launch of a civil society grant projects within the framework of its 3-year project funded by the U.S. State Department (Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement - INL) to Strengthen the Compliance of the Ghana Prisons Service with the Nelson Mandela Rules. These projects by four (4) civil society organizations will aim at improving access to psycho-social support and art therapy to prisoners as well as post-release support to released prisoners to aid their reintegration into society.
It aligns with the United Nations’ commitment to strengthen civil society and facilitate the important role they play in supporting the treatment of offenders in both the community and in prisons through complementary support, monitoring and services in support of rehabilitation and social reintegration.
This year’s commemoration serves as a call to action for all. It is a reminder that prisoner’ rights are human rights which must be protected and that their humane treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration are essential for social justice and community well-being.
Underscoring the importance of collective action, the collaboration between UNODC, the Ghana Prisons Service, and international donors like the U.S. State Department’s INL showcase the fact that meaningful change is possible when stakeholders come together with a shared vision.
#PrisonersMatter
For more information about the Nelson Mandela Rules and the UNODC’s work in prison reform, visit UNODC’s official website.
