Convicted armed robber, Ayi Ayittey, popularly known as Ataa Ayi is the unofficial spokesperson for all persons serving prison sentences in Ghana, Joy News has learnt. 

The notorious armed robber, who is serving 160-years in prison with hard labour on different charges of robbery and connivance for robbery, is also a church leader at the Ankaful Prisons in the Central Region.

He has now turned his life to Jesus Christ whom he says “brought me to prison to save my life”.

“I’ve heard a lot of my friends [armed robbers] outside are dead and gone. So as I have come to the prison I also have to think about myself and repent”, the once hardened criminal apologetically told Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng; who is accompanying the Interior Minister, Mark Woyongo, on a tour of the facility on Wednesday October 8. 

Ata Ayi said he regrets committing the crimes for which he is serving the jail term, especially after hearing of the passing of his mother; whose funeral he was unable to attend. 

“That [robbery] cannot help us; at the end of it all they will disgrace their family, themselves and their children and so I plead with them that they should all change their lives so that we will all live a better life tomorrow,” he advised other criminals. 

Mr. Woyongo advised the convict to continue to put up with his good behaviour, and said his ministry may recommend his release from the prison.

“If you continue to be of good behaviour…we’ll make some recommendation to His Excellency for his consideration,” Mr. Woyongo pledged.

Meanwhile, Mr. Woyongo has assured, government will not neglect the welfare of prisoners despite the offences they committed against the state. He said government will make life better for them even in prison. 

The Minister also interacted with the jailed Chief Executive for Twifo Atti-Morkwa  District Assembly, Bossman Osei – Hyiamang Jnr. 

The DCE was last week jailed 14 days by a Cape Coast High Court for contempt of court.

In another development, the Prison Administration has now provided each prison block at the Ankaful Maximum Prisons with a table phone to enable inmates call and speak with their families and relatives at home. 

This was disclosed by the Controller-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Matilda Baffour Awuah, during an interaction with the Interior Minister.

Matilda Baffuor Awuah said this forms part of measures to totally reform the Service and also avoid prison officers giving their cell phones to inmates to use for such purposes.

According to her, this will be replicated in all prisons across the country so that inmates can also receive calls from their relatives back home.