The Ghana Prison Service (GPS), held a strategic partnership discussions with the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) in a move to strike a mutually beneficial relationship between the two state institutions. The meeting, which took place on Monday 14th July 2025 at the Authority’s Head Office in Accra, also served as a significant move towards social impact and collaborative development especially on rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
The Director General of GPS, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, ESQ, highlighted the mandate of the Service; to ensure the safety, reformation, and reintegration of inmates into society. She emphasized the Service’s interest in partnerships that promote skill development and economic empowerment for prisoners, particularly in the area of agribusiness.
The Chief Executive Officer of GFZA, Dr. Mary Awusi, expressed the Authority’s optimism in collaborating with the Prison Service, underscored the alignment between GFZA’s development goals and the reintegration objectives of the GPS. She explained that several companies operating under the Free Zones Scheme, particularly in the agribusiness sector, could potentially engage inmates in productive ventures, thereby enhancing their skills and improving prospects for reintegration after incarceration.
Dr. Awusi pledged the GFZA’s commitment to engaging international investors and partners to explore further avenues of support for the Ghana Prison Service. “This is an opportunity to not only drive economic growth but to create a more inclusive society by investing in the future of individuals who deserve a second chance,” she stated.
To reinforce the Authority’s commitment, Dr. Awusi announced that the Ghana Prison Service would be featured in the GFZA’s upcoming 30th Anniversary celebrations. The inclusion will form part of the Authority’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, reflecting its dedication to community impact and restorative justice.
A key outcome of the meeting was the shared commitment to develop a structured framework that will guide the collaboration. Both parties agreed to initiate steps toward implementing joint projects and programs, with job creation, vocational training, and sustainable rehabilitation at the core of the initiative.
This forward-looking engagement signals a new era of purposeful partnerships, where economic development intersects with social reintegration, offering hope and opportunity to those often overlooked in society.
Mary Awusi Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Motai- Ghana Ghana Export Promotion Authority Ghana Investment Promotion Centre – GIPC Black History Festivals National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme-NEIP Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration, Ghana Ministry of Finance, Ghana Association of Ghana Industries GIZ Ghana Ministry of Health, Ghana.
