Accra, Oct. 12, GNA – Dr Abena Nyarkoa Asomaning, a Ghanaian author, advocate and artist has launched three books and auctioned a collection of paintings to raise funds for programmes supporting incarcerated women, young people and former prisoners through the Angel-Zoe Foundation.
The event, dubbed “In Full Bloom: Art, Words & Legacy,” was held in Accra and attracted representatives of diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and members of the business community.
The books launched were Women’s Leadership in Africa, The Shrewd You and Bloom.
Speaking at the event, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, Se Mantse and Paramount King of the Shai Traditional Area, described the launch of three books at once as a significant achievement and praised Dr. Asomaning’s commitment to helping vulnerable groups.
He said her work with incarcerated women and people returning to society after prison demonstrated that leadership was fundamentally about service and creating opportunities for others.
Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, urged the public to support authors and social interventions that contribute to national development.
She encouraged guests to support people who use their talents to serve society and spoke about the importance of reintegrating former prisoners with dignity.
A review of Women’s Leadership in Africa by Dr Erika Mamley Osae highlighted the book’s examination of leadership through the experiences of African women, from historical figures to contemporary leaders in politics, business and community development.
The event also featured screenings of two short films detailing the work of the Angel-Zoe Foundation and Dr Asomaning’s journey as an artist.
Addressing guests, Dr Asomaning reflected on nearly two decades of engagement with Ghana’s prison system, saying her research on juvenile offenders and experience on prison discharge boards had shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by inmates and former prisoners.
Through the Angel-Zoe Foundation, she has championed initiatives ranging from food and healthcare support to skills training, counselling and employment assistance for people leaving prison.
“There is so much goodness in there if you give them an opportunity. Some of them didn’t have to be in prison at all,” she said.
Dr Asomaning said her experience had shown that many former inmates could rebuild their lives when given adequate support, citing examples of individuals who had gone on to teach in universities and serve in the military abroad.
She also expressed gratitude to individuals and institutions that had supported her work over the years, including the French government, which supported her doctoral studies.
The evening concluded with the auction of her paintings and the sale of the three books, with proceeds earmarked for programmes supporting incarcerated women, young people and former inmates as the Foundation prepares to mark two decades of service in the prison sector.
The books are available on Amazon.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade