GHANA PRISONS SERVICE MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH EMPOWERMENT FORUM

The Gender Unit of the Ghana Prisons Service commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a vibrant open forum at the Prisons Headquarters in Accra, bringing together officers and stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of female personnel and reaffirm the Service’s commitment to gender empowerment.

The forum created an engaging platform for dialogue, inspiration and mentorship, highlighting the vital role women continue to play in the advancement and transformation of the Prisons Service.

Distinguished speakers at the event included the Director-General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq.), retired Deputy Director-General of Prisons Mrs. Josephine Freduah-Agyemang, Gender, Peace and Security Consultant Mrs. Joana Opare, and Chief Officer Patricia Kutsienyo.

Delivering a thought-provoking presentation, Mrs. Joana Opare called for the development and launch of a comprehensive gender policy to guide and strengthen the participation of women within the Service. She urged female officers to empower themselves through continuous learning, innovation and collaboration, while championing equality and building strategic partnerships that would enhance their professional growth.

Retired Deputy Director-General Mrs. Josephine Freduah Agyemang also inspired participants with reflections from her decades of service. She emphasized that “when women rise, the Service thrives,” encouraging female officers to remain committed to lifelong learning, professional discipline and self-development.

Adding a personal touch to the discussions, Chief Officer Patricia Kutsienyo shared experiences from her own career journey, reminding officers that determination, perseverance and confidence are key ingredients for excellence in service.

In her remarks, the Director-General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, expressed profound appreciation to the speakers for their insightful contributions and encouragement to female officers. She highlighted ongoing initiatives by the Prisons Administration to support personnel, including GETFund scholarship opportunities for officers and financial empowerment programmes for members of the Prison Officers’ Wives Association in partnership with the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC).

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie also shared some personal challenges she encountered early in her career, urging officers especially young women to remain focused, resilient and determined in pursuing leadership roles within the Service.

The well-attended event brought together members of the Prisons Directorate, Officers in Charge, Schedule Heads, senior and junior officers, the Prisons Regimental Band, the Prison Officers’ Wives Association and the Prison Officers’ Children Association.

The forum served not only as a celebration of women but also as a powerful reminder of the invaluable contributions female officers continue to make toward strengthening the Ghana Prisons Service and advancing its mission of rehabilitation and reform.