SUNYANI CENTRAL PRISON WINS BEST SECURITY SERVICE IN AGRICULTURE IN THE SUNYANI EAST MUNICIPALITY.

Sunyani Central Prison has been adjudged the Best Security Service in Agriculture at the metropolitan/municipal/district level for the Bono Region during the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration, recognizing the facility’s growing impact in agricultural development under the “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” initiative.

Although Sunyani Central Prison is a central facility whose core mandate does not focus on farming or agricultural production, the Facility has remained actively engaged in diverse and impactful agricultural activities under the leadership of the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regional commander and Officer in Charge, DDP Thompson Otsyokpo.

Through the “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” Initiative, agriculture has been adopted as a key pillar to develop inmates’ skills, ensure self-sufficiency in feeding inmates, and support wealth creation as part of broader business initiatives.

The facility currently operates two tarpaulin fish ponds stocked with catfish, an earth pond for tilapia, and a wide range of vegetable farms, including cabbage, lettuce, okro, tomatoes, green pepper, garden eggs, and carrots, alongside a maize plantation. The prison has also cultivated teak trees and palm trees, and runs a functional poultry under Akoko Nkitinkiti in the Special initiatives pillar.

As part of the National Farmers Day activities, there was also an agricultural exhibition where Sunyani Central Prison showcased a variety of their produce, including catfish, garden eggs, pepper,okro, and more, demonstrating quality of their agricultural output.

These initiatives provide inmates with hands-on experience in aquaculture, crop production, and animal husbandry, equipping them with practical skills that support successful reintegration into society and also help in augmenting the feeding of inmates at the facility.

DDP Thompson Otsyokpo, Bono Regional Commander, expressed pride in the recognition, stressing that the award validates the effectiveness of innovative rehabilitation strategies and encourages the facility to further expand its agricultural activities.

Sunyani Central Prison’s accomplishment demonstrates the Ghana Prisons Service’s commitment to national development, even beyond its core security responsibilities.