PRISONS TO GO INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH CHOCHO INDUSTRIES
The Awutu Settlement Camp Prison in the Central Region will soon go into partnership with Chocho Industries in the growing of
specific plants to be used as herbal extracts for Chocho skin products.
The Officer in Charge of the prison, Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Eric Ainoo Ansah, made the proposal to the Chief
Executive Officer of Chocho Industries, Alhaji Sheikh Mustapha Boateng, when the latter paid a visit to the prison during
the New Year festivities.
The officer in Charge (OIC) added that, the prison needs partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations and other business
minded individual to set up a strong agricultural infrastructure to enable it move from rain fed agricultural production
to a year round production through irrigation, and to also support animal husbandry. The OIC disclosed that, ‘the prison
abounds in expertise and has about 200 acres of fertile land for commercial agriculture’.
The CEO of Chocho Industries in his response intimated his readiness to accept the proposal for the partnership as the prison
has the farm hands, and a fertile land that must be put into consideration. He said, ‘my company will be happy to go into
partnership with the prison to enable it generate income to support its operations, as government funding has always been insufficient’.
Alhaji Mustapha also in an interaction with the prison inmates, advised them to fully embrace the reformation and
rehabilitation programmes of the prison, so that they could turn over a new leaf to change the negative perception
the public have about them. He also added that, they should not see their situation as an end to their dreams, but
strive hard to learn a trade in the prison to enable them make their lives better when they are discharged.
As part of their contribution towards making inmates’ lives better especially during the Yuletide, the CEO made a
cash donation of GH¢2,000.00, and a quantity of Chocho skin products valued at GH¢4,800.00 to the prison.
The OIC of the prison on behalf of the Director General of Prisons expressed his appreciation to the CEO for the kind gesture,
and called on members of the society to emulate it to bring some joy to the inmates.
The inmates of the prison also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Alhaji for the visit and the donation. They
pledged to co-operate with the prison authorities to ensure that they are reformed. As part of their New Year message
to their friends and families at home, they advised all to be law abiding, and avoid reckless behaviours, as that could easily land them in jail.
The Chocho CEO also took the opportunity to visit some of the prison’s farmlands, and irrigation dam to acquaint himself with the
reality on the ground to facilitate the partnership process.