The Sunyani Central Prison has taken a bold step to improve the welfare of inmates by cultivating vegetables such as cabbage and garden eggs to support their daily meals.

Under the leadership of the Regional Commander, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Thompson Otsokpo, the initiative is helping the facility become more self-sufficient while promoting healthy eating among inmates.

The project forms part of the Director-General’s Kitchen Support Project, championed by the Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq). The national campaign encourages all prison facilities across the country to produce their own food to reduce costs and ensure a reliable food supply for inmates.

According to DDP Otsokpo, the vegetable farm has made a real difference in how inmates are fed. “This initiative doesn’t just ease the pressure on our feeding budget—it also ensures inmates enjoy nutritious and balanced meals,” he said.

The farm produce, including cabbage and garden eggs, is used to supplement the standard meals served in the prison. Inmates now enjoy a more varied and healthy diet, which also contributes to their overall well-being.

But the benefits go beyond the dining hall. Some of the harvested produce is sold to the public, generating extra income to support the daily running of the prison farm. This approach, the command says, makes the project sustainable while also strengthening community ties.

The farming initiative is also part of the prison’s rehabilitation efforts. Inmates who work on the farm gain hands-on experience in vegetable cultivation, learning valuable skills they can use to rebuild their lives after serving their sentences.

Encouraged by the success of the current harvests, the Sunyani Central Prison is already considering expanding the farm to include other crops. The command believes this will further enhance the project’s impact—improving inmate welfare, cutting food costs, and supporting long-term rehabilitation.