BONO REGIONAL COMMAND LAUNCHES SUNYANI CENTRAL PRISON REGIMENTAL BAND UNDER THINK PRISONS 360 DEGREES INITIATIVE

The Bono Regional Command of the Ghana Prisons Service has officially launched and unveiled the Sunyani Central Prison Regimental Band, a new initiative inspired by the Think Prisons 360 Degrees vision of the Director-General of Prisons.

The initiative seeks to encourage officers to develop their talents and create opportunities, even in the face of limited resources.

The colourful ceremony, held on 30th July 2026 at the Sunyani Central Prison canteen, also served as a fundraising event to support the band in acquiring additional musical instruments and equipment.

The ceremony was chaired by the Honourable Vincent Antwi Agyei, Municipal Chief Executive for Sunyani East, who pledged a personal contribution of GH¢10,000 towards the development of the band.

In his remarks, the MCE commended the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regional Commander, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Thompson Otsyokpo, for his vision, commitment and efforts to introduce initiatives that contribute to the development and image of the Ghana Prisons Service.

Speaking at the ceremony, DDP Thompson Otsyokpo, who is also the Officer-in-Charge of Sunyani Central Prison, said the establishment of the band was in line with the Think Prisons 360 Degrees initiative of the Director-General of Prisons.

He explained that the band was not merely about music and entertainment, but also about creating a platform for officers to discover, develop and showcase their talents while promoting teamwork and enhancing the image of the Ghana Prisons Service.

As part of the ceremony, DDP Otsyokpo presented the MCE with a traditional smock made by an inmate of Sunyani Central Prison. The gesture highlighted the vocational and skills training provided to inmates to equip them with practical skills and support their successful reintegration into society after discharge.

The Regimental Band was initially established with a loan of GH¢11,000, which enabled the team to acquire some essential instruments. However, most of the instruments currently being used by the band have been borrowed from friends and colleagues, making the fundraising effort necessary to help the band acquire its own equipment.

The event was attended by the Bono Regional Deputy Director of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Richard Kofi Kyei; the Regional Director of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) Radio, Mrs. Christiana Kumah; a representative of the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3BN); as well as other distinguished guests and stakeholders.