The Ghana Prisons Service has held its maiden strategic meeting with former Director-Generals and senior officers to share its new reform agenda and operational priorities.
The gathering, led by the Director-General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, aimed to update retired and current leadership on initiatives including Think Prisons 360 Degrees, rebranding, welfare enhancement, industrialisation, wealth creation, and advocacy.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie acknowledged the support of former officials throughout her career and outlined new plans for inmate welfare and agricultural expansion.
“A slot for 6000 people has been acquired through the Coding programme for training in computer-related courses,” she added.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie detailed ongoing projects such as the DG’s Kitchen initiative to improve inmate nutrition through small-scale farming, the Creative Arts programme for rehabilitation, and the Drug Bank Project to supply prison infirmaries with essential medication through pharmaceutical partnerships.
Land acquisition efforts were also highlighted, with 1,000 acres secured in Anum for an agricultural training school, and over 1,000 acres in the Northern Region awaiting documentation.
The Land Bank Project intends to support farm development, camp prisons, and staff accommodation.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie told the forum that steps would be taken to assume management of prison schools in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, including plans to establish nursery facilities for officers’ children.
She commended the Ministry of Agriculture’s support for the ‘Akoko Nkiti Kiti’ initiative, which included the donation of fertilisers, two mini tractors, birds and cages.
A scholarship package from Metropolitan University has also been allocated to 60 beneficiaries comprising officers, dependents, and inmates.
Former Director-General and Member of Parliament for Nandom, Mr. Richard Kuuire, praised the initiative to engage retired leadership.
Mr. B.T. Baba, a former Director of Prisons, and others pledged to use their influence to advocate for government support.
All former Director-Generals in attendance commended the dedication of the current administration and pledged their continued support towards advancing its reform agenda.