Don’t write off former prisoners, they can be influential – Prof. Adarkwa

Emeritus Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, former Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has emphasized the importance of giving individuals, including former prisoners, a chance to reintegrate and contribute positively to society.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV with Bernard Avle, Prof. Adarkwa reflected on his experiences while discussing his book, Against All Odds.

He recounted growing up in an environment where he interacted closely with individuals who had been on remand, which shaped his perspective on rehabilitation and societal inclusion.

He observed that many prisoners are often written off by society due to the charges leveled against them, making reintegration difficult.

However, he urged the public not to dismiss them entirely, emphasizing that they, too, have the potential to rise above their past and become influential and productive members of the community

“We lived with those who had been on remand. We really feared nobody. The central barracks, Koforidua, was right in the middle of the town, and the cells were in the middle of the barracks.

“We saw them every day, we took our baths with them in the public bath houses. The essence is that don’t write those people [prisoners] off. They can also shine to become people of influence in society and useful to society. That is why I wrote the book,” he shared.