Once surrounded by thick forests, the Sunyani Central Prison now tells a new story of transformation and hope. The fertile land that lay idle has been cleared and turned into flourishing plantations, marking a bold step towards self-sufficiency and improved welfare of prisoners.
The initiative spearheaded by the Regional commander with the active support of officers and inmates, saw the once-dense forest weeded, ploughed and converted into farmland. Today, the plantation boasts thriving maize and cabbage farms, a palm plantation and other crops that promise to turn the prison into a reliable food basket.
But beyond food production, the project carries a deeper mission. With inmates leading the weeding and planting alongside officers, the exercise has become a lesson in teamwork, resilience and shared responsibility. The Regional commander himself plays a hands-on role symbolizing leadership by example and reinforcing the values of hard work, unity and discipline.
The initiative also aligns with the DG's Kitchen Support Project, championed by the Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq), which calls for every prison facility to be self-sufficient in feeding its inmates.
By producing its own food, the Sunyani Central Prison not only supplements daily rations but also ensures that meals are more wholesome, attractive and nutritious for inmates.
In the long term, the farmlands are expected to reduce the cost of food supply to the prison, provide practical agricultural skills to inmates and contribute to their rehabilitation and reintegration back into society.
What once was an untouched forest now stands as testament to how visionary leadership and collective effort can turn challenges into opportunities for growth, transformation and sustainability for the prison community.
By: Supt. Denis Peasah
Sunyani Central.
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