Ohemaa Mercy goes to Prison

Award-wining Ghanaian gospel musician, Ohemaa Mercy, must be a very happy individual for finally fulfilling her long cherished dream of going to prison.

The renowned singer who said she had the calling from God through prayer to concentrate and focus her energy more on winning the soul of prisoners, spent a day with thousands of male convicts at the Nsawam Maximum Prisons, on Friday April 15, 2011.

Ohemaa told Peacefmonline.com that desire to minister to these convicts had plagued her mind for several months now but last Friday was just "the right day to follow God’s direction". She paid an official visit to the prison with a set of musical instruments and bands-men to spread the word of God and entertain the prisoners.

Mercy, her bandsmen and members of the media led by Rev. Ofosuhene, was welcomed by the Rev. Supt. James Tetteh, Chaplain in-charge of Eastern region prisons which include the Nsawam, Koforidua and all other prisons in the region. He commended Ohemaa Mercy for taking such a bold step to visit the convicts, who he said, are often seen as outcasts in the society.

The live performance in front of the prison chapel was opened by an all prisoners band based in the prison, and praises by Ohemaa Mercy’s band. Ohemaa who seem to be very popular among the prisoners, took over the stage and changed the whole atmosphere with her touching worship song “Me nwoo” which drew tears from most of the inmates.

So awesome and inspiring was her act that she performed for nearly 2hours to over 2000 male prisoners that had assembled at the Prison Park.

While performing, she rattled off the names of some known faces in prison to acknowledge their presence.

The likes of notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi, notorious jail breaker Johnson Kombia Soloma, popularly known as Burger, a convict who escaped from the Tamale Central Prisons, popular singer William Ramzy Amui aka Ramzy, first runner-up in the first edition of music reality show ‘Stars of the Future’, who has been jailed 10-year for armed robbery, man of God Prophet Nana Kofi Yirenkyi (a.k.a “Jesus Onetouch”), founder and general Overseer of Jesus Blood Prophetic Minister who has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for allegedly defiling his 10-year-old daughter , among others, were there to share in her ministration.

Music Producer, Isaac Abeidu Aidoo, popularly known as ‘Goodies’ and C.E.O of Goodies Music Production, who is serving a 13-year jail term for narcotic related offences, and CEO of EXOPA Modeling Agency, Ibrahim Sima who is serving a fifteen year jail term, for drug trafficking came to thank Ohamaa Mercy for her words of encouragement and inspiring performance.

Aside her performance she donated several items including: Bags of rice, gallons of Oil, and boxes of key soap, tins of milk, toilet rolls, and Christian booklets among other things.

Shortly after her experience at the Nsawam Prisons, the gospel sensation read out this statement:

“After visiting the Nsawam prison, I could not hold back my tears looking at the inhumane nature of the prison conditions prescribed as dwelling places for the in-mates. Our prisons have gradually been tailored to suit criminal breeding grounds rather than the reformatory and correctional home for citizens who break one law or the other. This is not to say that the in-mates do not deserve punishment for whatever crime committed, but the long-run- effect of what they bring back to society should also be considered.

It hurts to see most of our potential and talented youth waste away in prison while they could be trained and equipped for better living after their release. However, it is common to see people who, upon their release, find it difficult to fit into society and end up going back to the prisons. In the same vein we have seen ex-convicts take up challenging roles in society after their sentence. My appeal goes to the general public, government, all religious leaders and stakeholders of Ghana. It is our total responsibility to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the in-mates are respected and preserved: their right to education, communication and to general well-being are also held paramount. Let’s bear in mind that every one of us is a potential prisoner. To the Christendom we must wake up to our call and make sure we take the love of Christ to these ones. It is for these ones Jesus came to die, and we must let them know.

It is my humble plea, that we take a second look at the correctional measures put in place for our prisoners. In the end, we are all but one people, one Ghana, one Nation. Together we stand, divided we fall,” Ohemaa Mercy said.

She promised to collaborate with other gospel musicians in the future for another show in the prison yard which will be much bigger than this one.

Keep reading for exclusive stories and pictures of Ataa Ayi, Ramzy, Johnson Kombia, Jesus Onetouch, Goodies, Sima Ibrahim among others in prison.