For 200 detainees across three police stations in Accra, Christmas Day was featured by a gesture of compassion, delivered by a benefactor who knows firsthand the hardship of life behind bars.
Felicity Nelson, founder of the Felicity Nelson Foundation and a Deputy CEO (Operations) of the Ghana Tourism Development Company, led a humanitarian initiative on Thursday, December 25, 2025 to distribute hot food, beverages, toiletries, and supplies to individuals held at the Railways, Baatsona, and Cantonment Police Stations.
The act of kindness was personal for Miss Nelson. Her decision was fueled by her own experience of unlawful arrest and detention for 17 days in 2024, following her involvement in the ‘Fix the Country’ demonstrations. She spent 14 days at Cantonment, a day at Baatsona, and two days at the Railways Police cells.
“Not all the inmates are guilty; they are just charged at the moment. None of them have been convicted of any crime. They are just as human as us and they also deserve to be loved and cared for and feel important. That’s why I decided to do this initiative,” Nelson told the media during the distribution.
For the Felicity Nelson Foundation, the objectives of the intervention is to provide essential support, promote dignity and basic welfare, and conduct the activity in a respectful and transparent manner.
The programme, termed the Humanitarian Support Initiative, sought to address gaps in access to basic necessities observed by Nelson during her detention. The foundation noted that many individuals in custody rely entirely on external support for food, drinking water, and hygiene items, a deprivation felt acutely during the festive season.
“For many detainees, Christmas will pass like any other day without family, food, or basic comforts. This initiative is about restoring dignity, sharing compassion, and ensuring that no one is forgotten during the festive season,” she said
This outreach also reflects a transition Felicity Nelson is intentionally making, moving her activism beyond advocacy and protesting into community-centered and action-based work. According to her, activism must not only speak truth to power but also show up, meet people where they are, and respond to real human needs.
The initiative, supported by donors, sought to provide dignified support. Nelson also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support received from the Ghana Police Service in facilitating the Christmas Day distribution.
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