By Sanna Camara

As the latest batch of 50 inmates undergo graduation in technical and vocational skills while serving time in prison, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has paid homage to the 348 inmates that has so far undergone skills training as part of prison reform and inmate rehabilitation programme.

“The nation is proud of you!” Prof. Pierre N. Gomez, the minster told the latest graduating students at the event held at the Mile 2 central prison this week.

He told them that his ministry views imprisonment as a mistake, and as such, they believe in giving second chances to inmate graduands who undergo this journey of transformation while serving time in prison.

This is a necessary part of the entrepreneurial funding for the youths, to give such a chance to those who wish to make a fresh start after serving their time.

Prof. also said that through his Ministry, the government of President Adama Barrow is investing hundreds of millions in skills and entrepreneurial development through what he called an “action-oriented diplomacy” as a means of mitigating youth migration to Europe.

He said the focus of this venture is on self-reliance and development, where youths can look inwards and create employment for self, while government creates the right environment for the exploring of potentials for the youths. And in this concept, the prisons are not excluded.

“Prison sentence should not become a life sentence of exclusion,” Prof. Gomez said, applauding the graduands for their successful completion of the training programme that has been assessed and evaluated by experts to instill vocational competence in them.

“The nation is proud of you. The republic is proud of you,” he said.