By Emmanuel Boateng AGYEMFRA
At the heart of Kumasi’s historic Manhyia Palace stands a less celebrated, yet deeply transformative initiative. At the Manhyia Local Prison, an agricultural revolution is quietly taking shape—one that goes beyond confinement and punishment, offering inmates something more powerful: purpose.
The prison’s Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP), Hannah Hilda Ewoame, has launched a small but impactful poultry project that is already reshaping not just the protein supply of the facility but also the prospects of the inmates involved. It’s not just about rearing birds; it’s about restoring hope.
A coop with a cause
Barely a month since it was revamped, the prison’s poultry farm has grown from a modest set-up into a bustling coop with over 100 broilers. More than just a food supplement, it is now a hands-on training ground for inmates.
The project supports the prison’s broader goals: to provide better nutrition, practical agricultural skills and a smoother path to rehabilitation and reintegration. “We saw the need to address multiple challenges at once,” said DDP Ewoame. “From reducing idleness to equipping inmates with employable skills, while improving their meals and even generating some internal revenue to support rehabilitation programmes.”
She emphasised that the poultry farm is also aligned with the Director-General of Prisons’ Kitchen Support Initiative, which aims to enhance and sustain protein intake in all correctional facilities.
Training behind bars
Under the supervision of a dedicated team of prison agricultural officers—Chief Officer Richard Amewu, Sgt. Christian Oteng Boakye, Sgt. Joseph Wutisman, and 2CO Anthony Boampong—five carefully selected inmates are currently undergoing training in modern poultry husbandry.
They’re learning everything from breed selection and feeding schedules to disease control and coop maintenance. Each day, they rise early to care for the birds; and in doing so, are slowly building something that prison walls can’t contain: a new future. “We are grateful to Mamaga and the Agric Officers,” said Sly (not his real name), one of the inmates. “This isn’t just work, its training, it’s trust. And we’ll carry this with us when we go home.”
For DDP Ewoame, the first female Officer-in-Charge at the facility, such testimonies reaffirm the vision. She notes significant changes in the behaviour and mindset of the participating inmates. “They’ve developed patience, responsibility, empathy… Caring for another life teaches you a lot.”
A team effort
The initiative has become a shared source of pride, not only for the inmates but also for the officers involved. Many are now volunteering their expertise—both formal and informal—to support the project. The administration plans to further tap into this internal resource pool to strengthen the farm and help the prison contribute meaningfully to Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. DDP Ewoame believes that when officers and inmates work together, transformation happens—one egg, one life at a time.
Looking ahead
The Manhyia Local Prison poultry project is a shining example of what innovation can look like behind prison walls. It proves that rehabilitation can take root in even the most unexpected places, nurtured by leadership, trust and the opportunity to grow.
Plans are already underway to expand into fish farming and establish a kitchen garden to further support the facility’s meals. The prison is also seeking partnerships with private individuals, organisations and businesses for funding and logistical support. Because for those involved, this is more than just a poultry farm—it’s a second chance in feathers.
>>>The writer is a Development Communicator and Public Relations Specialist with the Ashanti Regional Prisons Public Relations Unit; and can be reached via +233 24 954 2342 | ✉️ [email protected]
