Member of Parliament (MP) for Amenfi Central, Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has urged Ghanaian youth to value their freedom after leading her first-ever prison outreach at Nsawam on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Describing the visit as “sweet and painful, beautiful and heartbreaking, emotional and inspiring,” Cudjoe led a 150-170 person delegation organized by the KN Foundation in collaboration with the Joana Gyan Foundation, Professional Football Association of Ghana, and Ghana Football Association.
The group departed Accra at 8:00 AM for what Cudjoe called a “mission of hope, compassion, love, unity, and humanity.”
“Many people in prison are not there because they are hardened criminals. Some are there because they had no money for legal representation… or because of anger, emotions, ego, misunderstandings, bad decisions,” Cudjoe said. “Today, I saw pain. Today, I saw regret. Today, I saw brokenness. But today, I also saw hope.”
Addressing Ghanaian youth directly, she said: “Control your anger. Control your emotions. Control your ego. Value emotional intelligence. Avoid violence. Avoid crime. Avoid decisions that can destroy your future. Because prison is not a joke. Freedom is a blessing.”
The delegation included GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, PFAG President Samuel Osei Kuffour, football icons Abedi Pele and Anthony Baffoe, MP Adams Abdul Salaam, former GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, musicians Dr Cryme and Patapaa, actors, actresses, bloggers and other public figures.
Cudjoe commended Nyantakyi for his “vision, coordination, and commitment” and thanked Okraku for his support, calling the collaboration between former and current football leadership “symbolic of unity, peace, maturity, and national development.”
Items donated included jerseys and footballs for inmates and officers, tracksuits for inmate leaders, rice, fish, drinking water, and an undisclosed cash donation.
Cudjoe praised prison officers for their “sacrifices, discipline, professionalism, patience, and dedication” under difficult conditions.
Partners and sponsors included Swiss Wealth Solutions, Golden Empire Legacy Ltd, Goldpath Developers, NHIS, Oasis International School, Tema Steel Company Ltd, Yes My Lord Company Ltd, JDK Travel & Tours Ltd, BuySimConnect, and Ahmed Kwabena Nkrumah.
Quoting Matthew 25:36; “I was in prison and you visited me,” Cudjoe said the day reminded her that “every soul matters” and “every life deserves hope.”
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on traditional leaders at Nsawam Palace as part of the outreach.
