Sunyani Prison turns inmates into car wash, tyre repair trainees with new skills centre

The Sunyani Central Prison has commissioned a new car wash and vulcanising skills development centre to equip inmates with vocational skills and improve their chances of securing jobs or starting businesses after serving their sentences.

The facility, commissioned on Friday, October 30, 2026, is expected to provide practical training in car washing, vehicle cleaning, detailing, tyre repairs and other vulcanising services as part of efforts to prepare inmates for life outside prison.

The initiative forms part of the Ghana Prisons Service's Think Prisons 360 Degrees programme, which seeks to shift the focus of the prison system beyond confinement to rehabilitation, skills development and the successful reintegration of inmates into society.

The project was made possible through the support of philanthropist and contractor Eric Kumi, Chief Executive Officer of Erikama Enterprise, who funded the establishment of the centre.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Officer-in-Charge of Sunyani Central Prison and Regional Commander for the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East regions, Director of Prisons (DOP) Thompson Otsyokpo, commended Mr Kumi for investing in the rehabilitation of inmates.

He said providing inmates with practical skills was essential to helping them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society after their release.

DOP Otsyokpo noted that vocational training initiatives such as the new centre would give inmates the opportunity to acquire employable skills, earn a living and reduce their chances of returning to crime.

He also acknowledged the contributions of GCB Bank, which supported the project by drilling a borehole to provide a reliable water supply for the car wash facility.

Madam Mariam Aziz, a sign-language interpreter to the President, was also recognised for donating an overhead water storage tank to support the centre's operations.

For his part, Mr Kumi said his decision to support the project was driven by his desire to contribute to inmate rehabilitation and give them access to skills that could sustain them after prison.

He urged the inmates to take the opportunity seriously, remain committed to learning and make good use of the training to secure a better future.

Delivering a message on behalf of the Bono Regional Minister, an Assistant Director at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Mr Samuel Mbo, commended the philanthropist for choosing to invest in a group of people he said was often overlooked by society.

He praised Mr Kumi for recognising that inmates deserved a second chance and described the intervention as a meaningful contribution to their rehabilitation.

Mr Mbo also applauded the Bono Regional Command of the Ghana Prisons Service for implementing the initiative, noting that the Think Prisons 360 Degrees programme was an important step towards preparing inmates for life after incarceration.

With the new centre now operational, inmates are expected to receive hands-on training that could open pathways to employment or self-employment upon their release.

The initiative also reinforces the role of vocational education in prison rehabilitation, where acquiring practical skills can help former inmates rebuild their lives, support their families and reintegrate into their communities.