By Zico Abubakar Ishaq Newton | Project Lead
BACKGROUND
Ramadan is a month of reflection, self-improvement, and spiritual renewal for Muslims around the world. It is a time for fasting during the day and breaking fast with iftar meals at sunset.
Inmates in most prisons in Ghana are assigned to a strict eating pattern within the walls of the prison centers, and with the high scarcity of food for them to feed on, it is equally extremely difficult for the prison system to make specific allocations to Muslim inmates to observe their fast since that may put some level of constraint on the officers and the entire system in general.
This makes it difficult for some special treatment to be given to inmates, which includes Muslims who wish to observe the fast during the month of Ramadan.
As Ramadan is a month of giving and showing compassion to the vulnerable in society, it is necessary that some support and compassion be shown to inmates in various prisons across the country.
It is on this basis that the Mother of All Nations Foundation initiated the iftar with the inmates. In 2020, as part of our community outreach program, we organized iftar meals with inmates at JamesCamp prison to show solidarity and support to those who are unable to celebrate the holy month with their families. This project has since continued to be implemented every year during this period.
WHAT IS IFTAR WITH INMATES ABOUT?
Iftar with Inmates is an annual program in which volunteers serve meals to inmates to break their fast during the month of Ramadan.
The iftar meal at JamesCamp prison is a collaborative effort between our organization (Mother of All Nations Foundation), the prison authorities, individuals and organizations/institutions, and volunteers who prepared the meals. We start planning the event well in advance, making sure that all the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a safe and smooth iftar experience for everyone involved. The iftar meal, consisting of food packages that met the dietary requirements of the inmates, are distributed.
This project is mostly supported by philanthropists and charitable organizations. The initiative gives both Muslim and non-Muslim inmates the opportunity to interact with the Muslim community and to give them the opportunity to easily observe their fast, focusing their thoughts and energies on their lives and what they can do to improve them.
IFTAR WITH INMATES 2024
This year, 2024, the iftar with inmates train took us back to the JamesCamp prison once more, where we presented food items to 147 inmates throughout the period of Ramadan and on the day of Eid.
METHODOLOGY
During the month of Ramadan, hot meals were prepared and presented to the JamesCamp prison service for distribution to both Muslim inmates who were observing the fast and non-Muslim prisoners in general.
Attached to these food packages were inspirational messages to uplift the spirit of the inmates and rejuvenate the feeling of belonging within them. Some of the messages were words of encouragement and hope, reminding the inmates that they are not alone and that the community is there to support them
MEALS DELIVERED
Cooked Meal (Rice and Stew, Jollof, Fried Rice)
Porridge with Sugar, Bread, Koose, Pincaso
Fruits: Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Pawpaw, Dates
Drinks: Locally Made Hibiscus drinks, Soft Drinks, Water
By Yussif Caesar Nuhu | Community Development Manager
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