Edward Kareweh, Director for Campaign and Advocacy, Centre for Development Research and Agro Innovations, says utilising prison labour for large-scale commercial farming will be a strategic approach to enhance food production and strengthen the national economy.

Kareweh said prisoners could play a crucial role in addressing the country’s agricultural challenges while simultaneously acquiring valuable skills to aid their reintegration into society upon their release.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that while some individuals and companies currently engage prison labour in some projects, expanding this initiative into a structured, nationwide farming programme could significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on food imports and create a more sustainable labour force for the agricultural sector.

Kareweh added that leveraging prison labour could lessen some challenges in the sector, including labour shortages and high production costs, among others, which could lead to increased domestic food production and enhanced overall productivity in the sector.

He further said that such an initiative would help stabilise food prices, ensure food security, and reduce the financial burden on the government, which currently spends significant resources on food imports and feeding of incarcerated individuals.

He suggested that Ghana’s laws should be reviewed to determine whether they currently permit large-scale prison labour initiatives and, if necessary, be amended to support the initiative, stressing that such a programme must be structured in a way that ensures the fair treatment of prisoners.

Kareweh said if the initiative was properly structured and regulated, it could serve as a transformative solution to Ghana’s agricultural and economic challenges, fostering a more self-sufficient and resilient food system.