By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA
Tarkwa (W/R), August 14, GNA – The Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) has presented farm inputs worth GH¢144,666.00 to support the cultivation of a 20-acre oil palm plantation for the Tarkwa Local Prisons in the Western Region.
The items included, 1,400 tenera oil palm seedlings, 141 bags of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizers, 200 bags of organic compost, 10 knapsack sprayers, 36 pieces of glyphosate (weedicide), 20 pieces of cutlasses, and 10 pairs of wellington boots.
At the launch of the Mine’s Prisons Argo-Support and Empowerment (PASE) Project, in Tarkwa, Mr Abdel Razak Yakubu, the Executive Secretary of the GFGF said, it was designed to strengthen food security, promote sustainable agriculture and equip inmates with practical vocational skills that supported rehabilitation and successful integration into the society.
He said the Tarkwa prisons currently cultivated 30 acres of oil palm, which provided an opportunity to supplement food production and equip inmates with practical agricultural skills.
Mr Yakubu added that with only GH¢5.00 allocated daily per person for over 340 inmates, expanding agricultural production was necessary to support the prisons food supply and provide meaningful opportunities for inmate’s rehabilitation through farming.
The executive secretary said in response, the Foundation stepped in to support management to nurture and maintain the plantation, thereby reaffirming its commitment to sustainable agriculture and the long-term success of the project.
He said the Foundation was also looking at establishing an oil palm processing centre to boost value addition and minimise reliance on external suppliers.
He stressed that by equipping inmates with employable farming skills, the project played a key role in rehabilitation, preparing them for work after prison, restoring dignity, self-reliance, and hope.
Through strategic partnerships with the Tarkwa prisons, the Foundation continued to demonstrate that agricultural could serve as a powerful catalyst for food security, skills development, rehabilitation, and socio-economic transformation, Mr Yakubu stated
Chief Superintendent of Prisons Bright Gbogbo, Officer in charge of the Tarkwa Local Prisons, who received the items expressed appreciation to the GFGF for recognising the value of the project and partnering with them to make it a reality.
He said the support demonstrated their commitment to sustainable community development and to give individuals a second chance to become productive members of society.
Chief Superintendent Gbogbo gave the assurance that the items would be utilised effectively to establish and maintain the plantation.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Erica Apeatua Addo
erica. [email protected]