James B. Mwinyelle
In a bid to empower inmates with practical skills and support rehabilitation, the Kumasi Central Prisons has inaugurated a sachet and bottled water production facility within its barracks at Adum.
The newly commissioned plant has received approval from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to commence large-scale production of purified drinking water. Managed under strict hygienic standards, the facility employs both inmates and prison personnel in its operations.
This initiative forms part of a broader vocational training agenda by the Ghana Prisons Service aimed at preparing inmates for reintegration into society. By offering hands-on experience in water production, officials hope to boost the chances of successful re-entry into the workforce after release.
Deputy Director of Prisons and Ashanti Regional Commander, James B. Mwinyelle, emphasised that the income generated from the water enterprise is being reinvested into expanding the programme to benefit more inmates.
“We are focused on providing inmates with skills that will sustain them beyond their incarceration. At the same time, the revenue helps us enhance the training facilities,” he explained.
In addition to the water production project, the prison is also cultivating a vegetable farm within the region. The fresh produce harvested is used to supplement meals in the prison’s kitchen, helping to improve the nutritional standards of inmate diets.
Authorities say such initiatives are crucial for reforming lives and reducing recidivism, while also contributing positively to the prison’s internal sustainability efforts.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi