Government Partners with Prisons to Produce Sanitary Pads, School Uniforms, and Furniture for Schools
The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will allow the Ghana Prisons Service to produce at least 30 per cent of the sanitary pads, school uniforms, and furniture needed in public schools across the country. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Interior in Accra and forms part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen local manufacturing, ensure value for money in public spending, and create meaningful rehabilitation opportunities for inmates.
Interior Minister Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak described the initiative as a bold and thoughtful policy decision that places education at the heart of national development. He emphasized that relying on local institutions like the Ghana Prisons Service for production would not only reduce import dependence but also improve transparency, accountability, and timely delivery of essential school materials.
He further explained that the programme is designed to benefit both students and inmates. While schools receive much-needed supplies, inmates will gain practical skills, earn income, and build confidence—reducing the likelihood of reoffending after their release. To ensure smooth implementation, a five-member committee will be set up to oversee the project.
Education Minister Hon. Haruna Iddrisu welcomed the initiative, stating that it gives the Ghana Prisons Service a new and meaningful role within the education system. He noted that keeping inmates productively engaged through skills training is far better than leaving them idle behind bars.
Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, called the MoU a “game changer,” saying it transforms the prisons from merely correctional institutions into engines of national productivity. She stressed that the real victory would be safer communities, as former inmates leave prison equipped with skills, dignity, and a fresh start in life.
