The Sunyani Central Prison has commissioned a Car Wash and Vulcanising Skills Development Centre as part of efforts to equip inmates with practical vocational skills and prepare them for successful reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
The facility, commissioned on October 30, 2026, at the prison’s forecourt, is a key component of the Ghana Prisons Service’s Think Prisons 360 Degrees initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation, skills training, empowerment and inmate reintegration.
The project was made possible through the support of philanthropist and contractor Mr Eric Kumi, Chief Executive Officer of Erikama Enterprise, whose contribution facilitated 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, expressed appreciation to Mr Kumi for his generosity and confidence in the potential of inmates to rebuild their lives.
He noted that vocational training programmes play a critical role in reducing recidivism by providing inmates with employable skills and opportunities for self-reliance after their release.
According to DOP Otsyokpo, the newly commissioned facility will help inmates acquire practical skills that can enable them to secure employment or establish their own businesses upon re-entering society.
He also acknowledged the support of GCB Bank, which funded the drilling of a borehole to provide a reliable water source for the washing bay, and Madam Mariam Aziz, a sign-language interpreter to the President, who donated an overhead water storage tank to support the centre’s operations.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Kumi said his decision to sponsor the project was driven by a desire to contribute to the rehabilitation and empowerment of inmates through practical skills development.
He encouraged beneficiaries of the programme to embrace the opportunity, remain committed to learning and apply the skills they acquire to build productive lives after their release.
A message delivered on behalf of the Bono Regional Minister by Mr Samuel Mbo, an Assistant Director at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), commended Mr Kumi for investing in the welfare and future of inmates, a group often overlooked in society.
He praised the Think Prisons 360 Degrees initiative for its emphasis on rehabilitation and empowerment, describing the project as a positive intervention that would contribute significantly to preparing inmates for productive lives beyond incarceration.
Mr Mbo also congratulated the Bono Regional Command of the Ghana Prisons Service for spearheading the initiative and reaffirmed the importance of creating opportunities that offer inmates a second chance.
The Car Wash and Vulcanising Skills Development Centre is expected to provide hands-on training in vehicle washing, cleaning and detailing services, tyre repairs and other vulcanising-related activities.
Prison authorities believe the training programme will enhance inmates’ employability, promote self-sufficiency and support the broader objective of rehabilitation and social reintegration