Essential Relief International an NGO which seeks to provide Humanitarian Relief to prisoners and the needed was officially launched on Friday 11th May 2018 at the British Council, in Accra.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Alexander Nutakor addressing the event stated, Its vision is to undertake activities that will relieve the voiceless in society and has taken upon itself to help wipe the stereotype that all prisoners are criminals.

We are happy, to be directing our form of giving towards our prisons, to provide legal aids, rehabilitation support, sensitization and alternative livelihood activities for ex-convicts.

Elsewhere across the world prisons are being emptied and Essential Relief International strongly believes such feat can be achieved in Ghana, if we start crime prevention education at the grass root level, the Chief Executive Officer added on.

Also Speaking at the Launch, the Chief Director of Crime Check Foundation, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng called on the government to ensure proper re-integration of ex-convicts by scrapping the ten year period before being employed.

Samuel Agbotse who is the Campaign and Fundraising Coordinator of Amnesty International also added his voice to the amendment of the law that says ex-convicts should be employed after 10 years of release from prison and has called on churches and other institutions to help fight for the amendment of the law.

Prior to the Launch, Essential Relief International in December visited the Nsawam Prison with a party dubbed “Christmas Party with Inmates”, which fed over 4000 inmates.