BOOK ON LIFE AT NSAWAM PRISON LAUNCHED

           
               Book on life at Nsawam Prison launched

Samples of the book, prior to the launch

An ex-convict of the Nsawam  Meduim Security Prison, Pastor David Gmercie, has launched a book about his 19 years incarceration experience in prison.

The launch which was graced by family, friends, the Deputy Director of Prisons (Finance and Administration) Mr Patrick Darko Missah and His Lordship Justice Ernest Yaw Obimpeh, was held at the East Legon branch of the Assemblies of God Church, Cedar Mountain Chapel.

Titled “From death row to Christ,” the book is a chronological account of Pastor Gmercie’s life; right from age 19 to 26 years when he was arrested by Interpol, and sentenced to death by firing squad for murder.“From death row to Christ,” which is in parts one and two also recounts how Pastor Gmercie miraculously battled through with the seemingly incurable tuberculosis disease, the process of giving his life to Christ and breathtaking events in prison that led to the presidential pardon.

Pastor Stephen Wengam praying over the books before the launch

Elaborating on why he wrote the book, Pastor Gmercie who shed tears of joy said that the exercise is a response to God’s instruction for him to write the book about his life at Nsawam Prison. He added that he is of the belief that being in a condemned prison brought him to the saving knowledge of Christ.

“The first day I stepped into my condemned prison, I got an instruction from the Lord to write down everything that was to happen in prison right from my first day till my release. It’s been five years after my release and I am thankful to God that this book is out to let people know about prison life, which should serve as an evangelism tool for more prisoners serving time,” he stressed.

He urged all to acknowledge the prison officers in Nsawam since they do a great job. Pastor Gmercie, with a smile on his face said “I give God the glory that 19 years ago when my family wept because I had dragged the family name into the mud, he has honoured his name, the family and mine years afterwards.”

He encouraged all to get a copy of the book and support his course of evangelizing to convicts at Nsawam Prisons.

Author of the book,David Gmercie

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Matilda Baffour Awuah, a deputy director of Prisons, Mr Patrick Darko Missah recounted his experience at the Nsawam Medium  Security Prison, when he was posted there as a national service personnel.

“I wept on my first day at Nsawam Prisons as a national service personnel. When I was weeping the prisoners rather encouraged me and I said to myself; this place is a different world,” he recounted.

Mr Missah further recounted memories he had of Pastor Gmercie and his other condemned and released prisoners  who had prophesied to the then Acting Director of Prisons, Madam Matilda Baffour Awuah , that she would be the first woman to be promoted to her current office as Director General of Ghana Prisons, which came to pass last year. He expressed excitement at Pastor David Gmercie’s efforts at writing a book to educate all about the life of prisoners at Nsawam.

His Lordship Justice Ernest Obimpeh, who was one of the two lawyers who sat on the Community Tribunal that sentenced Pastor Gmercie to death by firing squad did not mince words, when he talked about how he believed during the verdict that the ex-convict had committed manslaughter, and not murder.

Pastor Wengam declaring the book launched

He added that though he could not help reverse the decision of the tribunal, he kept talking about Pastor Gmercie to many people, only to fellowship together with him in the same church some 25 years later.

“A man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. God smiles when you are driven to the extreme. Whatever happens happens for a reason and for a good cause,” he said.

It is for this reason that Christ died and I am of the belief that it is for this reason that Pastor Gmercie was condemned to death so he could preach about Christ to others, he concluded.

Launching the book, Rev. Dr Stephen Yenusom Wengam who is the resident radio pastor of Citi Fm and a former presidential nominee on the Ghana Prisons Council prayed over the books, and asked for God’s blessings that the book, “From death row to Christ,” should serve as a tool that would draw many prisoners and people to Christ.

He added that one does not need to commit a crime to be incarcerated in Ghana. Crime is not far from any of us. “Learn to support convicts and ex-convicts,” he added.

The first copy of the book was bought for GH¢500.00 and subsequently GH¢200.00. A copy of the book could be bought at various bookshops around the country at Gh¢15.00 each.