NGOs Accused of �Robbing� the Poor

The chairman of the Coalition of Prisons Evangelists (COPE), Professor J.N.D. Dodoo, has alleged that most officials of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the country have been diverting funds for development projects into their personal accounts. Those officials, he said, solicited for funds ostensibly to assist orphans, street children, prisoners and other vulnerable groups but �the money ends up in individual pockets and bank accounts.� Making the allegation at the opening of a workshop organised by the Coalition on the theme �Challenges facing Prison Ministry in Africa in the 21st Century,� Prof. Dodoo described those NGOs and individuals as �not reliable and trustworthy,� and stated that it was one of the reasons for the lack of support for Prison Ministries and other NGOs in the country. He said the lack of public support, negative perception of prisoners, mistrust of NGOs and lack of collaboration among Prison Ministries and evangelists were some of the problems facing the ministry. To counter this, he urged organizations and individuals to partner the COPE to achieve much more for the Prisons Ministry. �Ministering to inmates in the country and other prisons in Africa depends largely on the individuals resources.� Mr Anthony Yeboah, Director of Prisons in charge of Human Resource, who read a speech on behalf of the Director-General of Prisons, William Asiedu, stated that the Prisons Ministries should be transparent in their dealings and also collaborate with others for a positive outcome.