DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PRISONS PAYS COURTESY CALL ON BONO REGIONAL MINISTER

The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(Esq), as part of her duty tour in the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East regions, paid a working visit to the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboah (Esq), on Sunday January 18, 2026 to strengthen the collaboration between the Service and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in advancing prison reforms and welfare initiatives.

The delegation that accompanied Mrs. Baffoe- Bonnie on her visit included DDP. Edward Ashun, the Commanding Officer of the Prisons Headquarters;DDP. Thomson Otsyokpo, the regional Prisons Commander for Bono, Ahafo and Bono East; DDP. Charles Ameyaw(Esq), the Chief Legal Officer; DDP. Janet Asabea, Head of Public Affairs; ADP. Michael Akoto, the Executive Secretary to the Director-General and CSP. Diana Kwarteng, the Officer-in-Charge Charge of the Sunyani Female Prison.

Addressing the meeting, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(Esq) outlined the general state of affairs of the Ghana Prisons Service, highlighting ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the Service as a key contributor to national security and development. She expressed concern over land disputes affecting some prison facilities across the country and called for stronger regional support to safeguard prison lands.

The Director-General also elaborated her flagship reset agenda, the “THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES”, which is structured in three tiers. The first tier focuses on prevention before brush with the law . The second tier is based on incarceration, focusing on the 5 pillars of the THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES initiative, while the third tier focuses on post incarceration,which is the reintegration of inmates.

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie further emphasized that, the Service is staffed with highly trained personnel capable of contributing effectively to frontline national security efforts. She also announced plans for a nationwide refurbishment programme and appealed to the RCC for logistical support, including the provision of a drilling machine to boost production of prison-made products, such as mineral water.

In his response, the regional minister Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa(Esq) warmly welcomed the delegation and commended the Director-General for her vision and leadership. He assured the Service of the RCC’s support in securing lands for prison projects and providing fertilizers to support the agricultural mechanization initiative.

He also pledged to engage the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to facilitate the completion of the Astroturf project at the Sunyani Central Prison, which was initiated by the previous administration. Additionally, he encouraged the Prison Service to formally engage local government authorities to access the Poverty Reduction and Intermediate Measures (PRIMA) fund.

The regional minister further committed to supporting the construction of chip compound facilities and internal roads within the Sunyani Central Prison to enhance infrastructure and operational efficiency.

Another key highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the PISPES fund’s, the “1 Ghana Cedi support agenda,” a public fundraising initiative aimed at encouraging every Ghanaian to contribute 1 cedi monthly. According to the Director-General, the fund will operate with transparency and accountability, and will focus on addressing officer accommodation, challenges and improving staff welfare.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to a stronger partnership. As a symbolic gesture, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie presented the regional minister with branded paraphernalia of the THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES initiative.