D.D.P Thompson Otsyokpo leads Sunyani Prisons to enforce “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” initiative

The Sunyani Central and Female Prisons have made remarkable progress under the “Think Prisons 360 Degrees” initiative, launched by the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie.

The initiative, according to the Prisons Service, aims to rebrand the service through wealth creation, advocacy, welfare, agricultural mechanization, modernization, and industrialization.

Under the leadership of Deputy Director of Prisons (D.D.P) Thompson Otsyokpo, the Bono, Ahafo, and Bono East Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service, the Sunyani Central and Female Prisons are embarking on various projects to compliment the initiative.

Despite the significant reforms and initiatives at the Sunyani Prisons, the facility is facing a major challenge: a lack of buyers for their products.

The prison’s vegetables, pastries, and catfish are readily available, but there are not enough customers to purchase them.

Chief Officer Frank Sosu, in charge of block factory at Sunyani Central Prison, said that their factory-produced cement blocks are priced lower than the market rate, yet they remain unsold.

The prison’s commander, D.D.P Thompson Otsyokpo, stated that his mandate is to leave a positive mark and bring impact to the inmates and the service in Sunyani.

He granted the interview with Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Sunyani-based Ark fm after inspecting their vegetable plantations, poultry, fish farming, pastries, block factory, and other infrastructure project.

ASP Benjamin Akoto, in charge of agriculture at the male prisons and Chief Supt. Diana Drowaa Kwarteng of the female prisons led the tour to showcase the progress.

The prison has two waterproof tarpaulin fish ponds, currently housing catfish, and a newly dug pond awaiting stocking.

According to him, the prison receives support and technical expertise from the Bono Regional Fisheries Commission and individual benefactors.

ASP Akoto emphasized that the initiative aims to make both male and female inmates self-sufficient, providing them with skills and knowledge in agriculture.

He believes that upon discharge, the inmates will be equipped to engage in agricultural activities, reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

ASP Akoto also advised the public to control factors that could lead to imprisonment, such as anger, greed, and lust, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices.

However, D.D.P Thompson Otsyokpo, the Prisons Commander, lamented the lack of irrigation dam, funds, implements, and agricultural input support from the general public to support their farming activities.

He explained that the Sunyani Central and Female Prisons are tapping into underutilized resources, including natural resources, and engaging both officers and inmates to work towards achieving food baskets for the inmates and generating revenue.

To raise awareness about their efforts, D.D.P Otsyokpo told Kaakyire Kwasi Afari that he is enhancing the PR department of the Sunyani Central Prisons to facilitate publicity across the three Regions.

D.D.P Thompson Otsyokpo called on the general public to offer support to the inmates to address their numerous challenges.

According to him, the purpose of bringing inmates to prison is not to punish them but to reform them, adding that achieving this goal is a collective responsibility that requires the support of both the government and the public.

For his part, the Public Relations Officer for Sunyani Central Prisons in the Bono Region, Supt. Dennis Peasah called on philanthropists and the general public to form a partnership to support ongoing reform initiatives to increase interanl revenue generation and skills training.

According to Supt. Dennis Peasah, Public Relations Officer for the Sunyani Central Prisons, feeding inmates has been a significant challenge, with each inmate currently being fed on GHC1.80 per day.

However, they are hopeful that the government’s promise to increase feeding grants to Ghc5 will be fulfilled.

Additionally, the PRO called on philanthropists, NGOs, and the general public to form a partnership with the Sunyani Central Prisons to establish a waste recycling plant to improve sanitation issues and create avenue for revenue generation.

Supt. Dennis Peasah emphasized that improving the welfare of inmates is a shared responsibility, noting that prisons are a potential second home for everyone in society.

Therefore, he believes that supporting the Sunyani Central and Female Prisons is crucial to achieving their goals.

*Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.*