The University of Cape Coast (UCC) in its discharge of disseminating education beyond barriers, has earmarked a landmark initiative of sending education to unlikely places like prisons.

With this, the University has imparted formal knowledge and duly graduated 63 inmates of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to aid in the proper reformation structure required for convicted persons.

Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice Chancellor of UCC made the refreshing revelation at the university's 10th session of the 57th congregation held on Wednesday for graduating students of the university's College of Distance Education (CoDE).

The event saw the conferment of degrees and diplomas to 1,603 graduands from the Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, Volta, Oti and Upper West Regions study centers who have successfully completed their academic programmes in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Speaking at the event, he recounted that the prison education programme began as a visionary partnership with the Plan Volta Foundation to provide tertiary education to inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

He established that despite early funding constraints, the University of Cape Coast boldly absorbed full cost of the programme. Providing tutors, learning materials and academic support to beneficiaries.

The UCC Vice Chancellor emphasized that "on the 27th March, 2025, 63 inmates graduated through this initiative. An achievement that has drawn international claim and positioned UCC as a global pioneer to inclusive and rehabilitative education," he said.

On challenges the institution seeks to deal with amid its achievements, he echoed that "we face urgent needs, particularly with respect to funding in modernizing classroom, upgrading digital infrastructure, and expanding access to underserved areas."

Additionally, he stressed that limited financial resources has hinder UCC's ability to provide essential teaching materials, refurbish facilities and roll out enhanced data learning tools.

In soliciting for assistance, Prof. Nyarko Boampong chanced on the occasion to appeal to government agencies, development partners, NGOs, corporate bodies, and philanthropic individuals to support the university's limelight initiative of prison education programme to help create a future where quality education is accessible to every Ghanaian, regardless of geography or circumstance.

Martin Cudjoe, the ceremony's Overall Best Student, who graduated with a CGPA of 3.9, encouraged his fellow graduands to use their knowledge gained to their advantage and not mourn over that which they lost.

He implored his colleagues to inculcate the spirit to forge ahead in life and never give up no matter the circumstance, since the world awaits them to save it from the problems it is confronted with.

"We all lose if we give up at a point. But when we stand firm to the end, our efforts will be crowned," he urged.

Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan