District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) Shika, Past District Governor Yvonne, The Officer-in-Charge and Officers of the James Camp Prison, Fellow Rotarians, and Distinguished Guests,

Good morning.

For close to 80 years, the James Camp Prison has stood not merely as a perimeter of confinement, but as a bridge—a model halfway home and a sanctuary for reformation, and rehabilitation.

It ensures that when a man walks out of its gates, he returns to society as a reformed citizen, ready to contribute to the economic fabric of his community.

But true human reformation cannot occur in an environment that compromises basic human dignity, true reformation is a holistic endeavor. It requires transformation to happen in a safe and dignifying environment.

James Camp Prison—like many correctional facilities across Ghana—faces some structural challenges, including strained infrastructure and sanitation deficits.

Our interaction with the infrastructure here was about 3 years ago and since then the Rotary Club of Accra-South has not looked away.

Our first point of action was to refurbish the camp’s infirmary, provide essential fittings, equipment, and medical consumables, and upgrade the facility to a clinic standard that continues to serve the prison community today.

A year later, under the 2024/2025 administration our Service Projects Committee turned its attention to the kitchen facility.

The reality was deeply troubling: the existing cornmill was constantly breaking down, and other factors that posed significant risk to food hygiene.

We came, we saw, went back to the board and members, I am happy to announce today that we have delivered.

Through the resources of the Rotary Club of Accra-South and our partners, we have successfully completed the refurbishment of the facility.

Specifically for this project, we have:

• Renovated the cooking shed, including floor tiling and painting

• Renovated the inner kitchen which houses the cornmill tiled floor and wall

• Installed a new corn/vegetable mill (which has been in use for over 3 months)

• Changed all windows and doors, with mosquito net meshing

Today, we hand over a space that can guarantee a safe and healthy food ecosystem.

As "People of Action" we Rotarians remain committed to improving our communities.

As we close this project and hand it over to the Ghana Prisons Service, we trust that the clinic and kitchen facilities will be well-maintained to continue serving the community.

To my fellow Rotarians, thank you for your relentless commitment to "Service Above Self" and exemplifying our theme for the 2025/26 year “Unite for Good”

Your resources, your time, and your empathy made this project a reality.

A society is not secure only by how it guards its gates, but also by how it opens them.

When we finally open the gates to inmates they should reenter society healthy, and hopeful.

By this project, we have built a path back to society, rather than a wall against it.

To the Board and members of the Rotary Club of Accra-South, The Ghana Prisons Service, and our corporate and individual donors

Thank you .

Akpe!