The Manager of Mineral Water Production at Kumasi Central Prison, CSP John Pobee, has provided details on the prison’s mineral water production project, describing it as an initiative aimed at ensuring access to safe drinking water for inmates while equipping them with practical skills for life after prison.
In an interview with Opemsuo Radio’s Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso, CSP Pobee said the project was born out of the urgent need to address water shortages in the municipality, which had created significant challenges for the prison.
“For some time, the municipality experienced a water crisis, and it created a huge challenge for us in the prisons. We had to think of ways to provide water for the inmates, so the idea came up that we should drill borehole. With the goodwill of some citizens, we were able to get support to drill borehole,” he explained.
CSP Pobee emphasised that hygiene and safety remain top priorities in the project, noting that misconceptions about prison production needed to be addressed.
“After getting the borehole, we decided the water must be properly treated so that the inmates can drink potable water without it affecting their health. Some people think anything produced in the prison is not clean, but I want to clear the air that the inmates themselves are very neat, and everything we do is done in a hygienic way,” he said.
CPS Pobee added that, the facility which began operations in February 2024, is located outside the prison walls, between the prison and the Bank of Ghana which allows the project to meet hygiene standards while providing a safe working environment for inmates.
CSP Pobee explained that the initiative is designed not just to supply water but also to equip inmates with practical skills and work experience. He said, inmates are involved in the production process, giving them hands-on training that can help them find meaningful employment after their release.
He further highlighted the financial benefits for the inmates, who receive payments that are securely kept in individual accounts.
“Each inmate involved in the project has an account where their earnings are kept. Whenever they need part of the money, they can request it, and when they are discharged, the full amount in their account is given to them,” CSP Pobee stated.
He announced, the prison management is appealing to the public to continue supporting the initiative, noting that all proceeds from the water production go directly into improving the welfare of inmates.
CSP Pobee concluded that, the project has not only helped provide access to safe drinking water but also serves as a rehabilitation tool, giving inmates a sense of responsibility, discipline, and practical skills that will benefit them in the long term.
Source:
opemsuo.com
