The Ghana Armwrestling Federation, in its quest to encourage participation in sport among the security services, has called on the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, who has pledged her commitment to prioritising sports—particularly armwrestling—as a major tool in lifting the image of the Ghana Prisons Service.

Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) and the Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA), who led the delegation, said a partnership with the Prisons Service would yield positive results, culminating in the Service producing national and continental champions.

He recalled that, years ago, the Ghana Prisons Service was a tough competitor in sports, producing top-tier athletes such as Felix Aboagye, Eric Nkansah, and Mark Anthony Awere, who went on to represent Ghana.

“Sports, when revamped within the Service, will bring diverse benefits. It can be used for public relations, rebranding, and as an internally generated fund (IGF) mechanism. A lot must be done to avert the dwindling fortunes of sports,” he said.

He congratulated Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie and wished her well in the years ahead.

For her part, the Director-General noted that sport contributes immensely to the physical and mental development of both officers and inmates.

“I have played and administered sports throughout my life. This made me disciplined, active, and has played a key role in where I am today. Sport built my confidence and gave me the platform to shine, so I know what it can do and how it can transform individuals into becoming better people,” she said.

She added that the Directorate has begun engaging with other authorities to get inmates and officers of the Prisons Service to actively participate in sport, both as a correctional tool and as a means of uncovering talent.

Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie further assured that her office would do its utmost to make armwrestling a leading sport within the Service, contributing to a shift in its public image.

“This transformational plan will serve as a cornerstone for the successful reintegration of prisoners, equipping them with essential skills and confidence for the future,” she added.

The Ghana Prisons Service and the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, during the meeting, mutually agreed to commence the training and establishment of an armwrestling club comprising both officers and inmates, with the goal of dominating the local scene.

Present at the meeting were the Vice President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Dr Kofi Addo-Agyekum; Technical Director, Mr Husseini Akuetteh Addy; Greater Accra Armwrestling Secretary, Mr Henry Quarshie; and Mr Prosper Ashiquaye of the Volta Regional Armwrestling.

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service has since been named a patron of Ghana Armwrestling.