In a stirring demonstration of Christian compassion and social responsibility, the Adventist Men’s Ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ashanti Ghana Conference, has paid a GH¢4,000 court fine to secure the release of Ibrahim Mustafa, an inmate of the Kumasi Central Prison.
Mustafa had been serving a six-month prison sentence after being convicted of stealing sound equipment. Lacking the financial means to settle his court fine, he remained behind bars—until the Church intervened. With the full payment of the fine, the inmate was released just two months into his sentence.
The act of kindness has earned the Church widespread commendation and is being hailed as a true example of faith in action.
Speaking to the media shortly after the release, Pastor David Adu Kyei, Leader of the Adventist Men’s Ministry in the Ashanti Ghana Conference, said the move reflects the Church’s biblical mission to minister to the marginalized, including those in prison.
“As Christians, we are called by Scripture to care for those in distress—including prisoners,” Pastor Adu Kyei said. “The church is not merely a place of worship; it must also be a refuge for the broken, a voice for the voiceless, and a hand to lift the fallen. We believe in restoration, not just punishment.”
Pastor Adu Kyei also delivered a strong message to the youth, cautioning them against lives of theft, drug abuse, and violence—behaviors he said often lead to incarceration and wasted potential. He further urged parents and guardians to instill strong moral values in their children.
“Don’t defend wrongdoing. Don’t pamper misconduct. Discipline is love,” he said. “Let us raise a generation that fears God and respects societal values.”
A visibly emotional Ibrahim Mustafa expressed profound gratitude to the SDA Church, promising to turn over a new leaf.
“I never thought I’d taste freedom this soon,” he said. “Thanks to the SDA Church, I’ve been given another chance. I won’t return to my old life. I plead with the youth: don’t follow bad friends, don’t steal, and don’t let social media mislead you. Stay focused. Work hard.”
Elder Peter Ofosu, Assistant Leader of the Adventist Men’s Ministry, also present at the event, urged other religious groups, civic bodies, and individuals to support prisoners in diverse ways.
“Some inmates simply need food, clothing, or help with transportation. Even prison officers lack adequate vehicles to send inmates to court,” Elder Ofosu said. “Everyone can do something. Small acts of kindness can have lasting impact.”
The SDA Church’s benevolent gesture has sparked renewed discussion about the role of faith-based organizations in promoting restorative justice and social reintegration. Religious leaders across the Ashanti Region have applauded the initiative and indicated interest in similar acts of outreach.
For Ibrahim Mustafa, the journey to rebuilding his life has just begun—with the support of a Church that saw not just an offender, but a soul worth redeeming.
