The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) and the Ghana Prison Service are set to collaborate on a forward-looking initiative aimed at supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates through skills training and economic empowerment.

The partnership was announced following a high-level meeting held on Monday, July 14, 2025, at the GFZA Head Office, where the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr Mary Awusi hosted the Director-General of the Ghana Prison Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, and her delegation.

Discussions centred on aligning the developmental objectives of both institutions to support reformation through vocational and agribusiness programmes.

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted the Prison Service’s core mission of ensuring safety and rehabilitation, emphasising the urgent need for strategic partnerships that offer inmates practical skills for life beyond incarceration.

“We are committed to not just keeping inmates safe but preparing them for successful reintegration into society,” she stated.

“Partnerships like this are critical in giving inmates real opportunities to rebuild their lives.”

The GFZA CEO welcomed the initiative, citing strong synergies between the Authority’s industrial development goals and the Prison Service’s reintegration efforts.

He noted that many Free Zone enterprises, particularly those in agribusiness, are well-positioned to offer training and employment opportunities to inmates and ex-offenders.

“We see this as an opportunity to create shared value,” he said.

“By linking our investors to this effort, we can promote inclusive growth that gives people second chances.”

The two institutions agreed to develop a structured framework for collaboration, with a focus on vocational training, job creation, and long-term rehabilitation.

As part of the partnership, the Ghana Prison Service will also be featured in GFZA’s upcoming 30th Anniversary celebrations under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda.

The collaboration is expected to serve as a model for how economic development agencies and correctional institutions can work together to address social reintegration challenges while contributing to national development, she concluded.