BH-FERTAGRO, a leading provider of innovative fertilizer solutions, and its executive team led by the Managing Director, Mr Robert Kwabena Ayitey paid a courtesy call on the Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ), to discuss a potential strategic partnership aimed at promoting agricultural development and sustainable farming practices within the prison system.

The meeting, held at the Prisons Directorate headquarters and facilitated by the Deputy Director of Prisons, DDP Patrick Thomas Seidu (Eastern Regional Commander and Officer in charge of Nsawam Medium Security Prison), focused on exploring collaborative opportunities that leverage BH-FERTAGRO's expertise in fertilizers and sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food production within correctional facilities. 

This initiative aligns with the government's commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates, providing them with valuable skills and knowledge that can be utilized upon their release.

The Managing Director of the fertilizer firm Mr Robert Ayitey elaborated on the various aspect of assistance the company seeks to provide the facility which included provision of the best fertilizers for large scale farming and also an irrigation project that will ensure an all-year round farming for the prisons’ 50-acre land in Nsawam.

"We believe that agriculture has the potential to transform lives, and we are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Prisons Directorate. What we are looking at is adopting the Prison as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility," said Mr Robert. 

He also intimated the need for a collective approach to enhance agricultural development in the prisons.

“By working together, we can create a program that not only improves food security within the prison system but also equips inmates with practical farming skills that can benefit them and their communities in the future."

Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq) in her speech expressed her profound gratitude to the company and indicated how the partnership will go a long way to provide adequate food forthe prisons - and how the partnership with BH-FERTAGRO could also provide valuable agricultural training and resourcesto help the institution to create a productive environment that supports rehabilitation and reduces recidivism."

‘I am very grateful for thinking about the prisons and making such a decision. The prison farming project is very dear to my heart and I want to even put more attention on the ‘DDP Kitchen Support Project’ which is aimed at improving the food conditions and nutrition for inmates in Ghanaian prisons. This project will focus on enhancing food preparation facilities, providing better kitchen equipment, and training staff in nutrition and food safety.

During the visit, BH-FERTAGRO team also discussed the implementation of agricultural training programs tailored for inmates. The proposed partnership aims to establish vocational training in farming, enabling inmates to cultivate crops and manage sustainable farming operations while gaining hands-on experience.

“We strongly believe that as a company we can even do more beyond just the inmates so we are looking at exploring other initiatives for inmates who leave here by providing them some farming inputs and other support that will help them with the farming so that they’re able to integrate well in their communities. We are keen to explore innovative solutions that can enhance the rehabilitation process for the inmates," the General Manager of B-H FERTAGRO, Mr Alex Kwame Donyinah said. 

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further discussions and the development of a formal proposal for the strategic partnership. BH-FERTAGRO and the Prisons Directorate are hopeful that this collaboration will pave the way for a brighter future for inmates and contribute to the agricultural landscape of the country.