“THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES” INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN KUMASI.

The Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ),over the weekend launched the forward- looking initiative of the Ghana Prisons Service “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” at the Kumasi Central Prison after a successful three(3) day tour in the Ashanti region.

The launch which was graced by the Ashanti Regional minister, Hon.Dr. Frank Amoakohene and other high- ranking security personnels happened after a Health Walk through the principal streets of Kumasi.
Officers in charge and officers drawn from the seven prison establishments namely the Kumasi Central and Kumasi Female Prisons, Manhyia Local Prison, Obuasi Local Prison, Ahinsan Camp Prison, Amanfrom and Ejura Camp Prisons were fully represented at the lauch of the reset initiative.

In her speech, the visionary Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie explained that, the “Think Prisons 360 degrees” initiative, is a paradigm shift, one that envisions the prisons not only as a place of incarceration but also a space of hope, healing, productivity, and national relevance”. It is a comprehensive transformation anchored on 12 strategic points”, she emphasized.
The initiative, which would be a guiding compass for the noble Service in the coming years, seeks to make the Ghana Prisons Service a household name because the mission is not just about keeping people in safe custody, but also about bringing out the best out of them; and in so doing, bringing out the best in Prison Officers.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ) stressed that, “The core pillars of the “Think Prisons 360 Degrees include: Rebranding, Wealth Creation, Advocacy, Welfare, Agric Mechanization, Modernization, and Industrialization.”

FACILITY TOUR
On her first day, Wednesday July 23, the Director General of Prisons as part of her “Think Prisons 360 Degree” agenda, visited the Obuasi Local Prison, Ahinsan Settlement Camp Prison and the Amanfrom Camp Prison. The visit to the prison facilities gave her a firsthand information about activities, including security, agriculture, ongoing projects, conditions of service of officers and the welfare of inmates.
She concluded her facility tour with separate visits to the Ejura Settlement Camp Prison, Manhyia Local Prison, Kumasi Female and Kumasi Central Prisons where the Royal Morale Squad and Espirit de Corps jama groups at Manhyia and Kumasi Central Prisons treated her to a back to back soothing jama and morale uplifting songs.
The second female Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ) was welcomed to all the prison facilities with standard para-military Quarter Guards made up of both female and male contingents.

COURTESY CALLS
As part of her itinerary, the Director General of Prisons paid courtesy calls on the Asantehene, Otumfou Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, Adansi Dompoasehene Okofo Kwabena Bonsu, Ejurahene Barima Osei Hwedie II, and the Adansi Ahinsanhemaa Nana Akua Tiwaa.
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie visited the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mines, the Obuasi East Municipal Chief Executive Officer and the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejura- Sekyedumase Hon. Rafiu Adam Seidu.
The “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” initiative launch would be replicated in other regional capitals in due course.

HEALTH WALK
The tour ended with a massive Health Walk, led by the Director General of Prisons, Mrs.Patience Baffoe-Bonnoe(ESQ), the Director of Prisons in charge of Agric, DOP. Ali Kwaku Ababio, Greater Accra Regional Commander, DDP.Edward Fiifi Acquah, Ashanti Regional Commander, DDP.James B.Mwinyele(Ing.) and all the Officers in charge of the seven(7) prison establishments in the region.

By: Supt. Samuel Kofi Opoku
Prisons Headquarters.