Foundation to hold charity concert in support of juvenile offenders

A child oriented nongovernmental organisation, Juvenile Reform Foundation-Ghana (JRF-Ghana) has launched a charity concert to raise funds in support of released and incarcerated juvenile offenders in the country’s correctional centres.

Dubbed ‘Our Future,’ the concert will take place at the last quarter of the year.

It will be held three times every year in three different regions. Funds from the concert will used specifically for the technical and vocational training, formal education and the general welfare of juvenile offenders-both released and incarcerated, as well as vulnerable children in society.

It will also be used to sensitise the public on the consequences associated with juvenile crimes. Gospel musician and JRF-Ghana Brand Ambassador Mary Agyemang, Philip Acheampong, Asiedu Brobbey Charles a.k.a ‘ABC’ and other musicians thrilled patrons with electrifying performances at the launch in Kumasi last Saturday.

Executive Director of JRF-Ghana, Geoffrey Chaucer Ofori, said majority of young offenders pick up habits such as smoking, bullying and homosexuality from correctionalcentres, which he noted have the tendency to waste their lives away.

He advised Ghanaians to embrace young offenders when they are released from correctional facilities, saying discriminating against them will only lead to reoffending.

He suggested to judges to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing juvenile offenders, arguing majority of them are ignorant of their actions. Mr Ofori called on religious organisations, corporate bodies, individuals and philanthropists to support JRF-Ghana to turn the lives of these young offenders around.

On her part, the JRF-Ghana Ambassador, Mary Agyemang, called on Ghanaians to help the Foundation fight against juvenile crime and violence in the country. Rev Emmanuel Forson, Head Pastor of Refreshing Pastures, in his keynote address indicated that juveniles who enter correctional facilities could be prevented if parents act responsibly.

“Children will not fall into wrong hands outside their homes if parents spend quality with their wards,” he observed.

JRF-Ghana is an independent, non-governmental organisation that is concerned with tackling and further stemming juvenile crime and violence in Ghana.