By: Saidu Jalloh
The Minister of Internal Affairs, AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, on Tuesday visited the Mafanta Correctional Centre in Tonkolili District to explore a large-scale mechanised farming partnership aimed at boosting food production for inmates and supporting the government’s national food security agenda.
The visit, which also included the North-East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Jalloh, followed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to promote agricultural production across correctional facilities nationwide.
During the tour, the delegation inspected facilities at the Mafanta Correctional Centre and assessed ongoing agricultural activities involving inmates. The team also visited a poultry ranch and other training areas where inmates are engaged in farming and vocational skills development.
As part of the visit, the ministers made a stopover in Rolanko, Makari Chiefdom, where they met with members of the landowning family to negotiate access to farmland for expanded agricultural production under the government’s *“Feed Salone”* initiative.
Officials said the proposed project will support large-scale mechanised farming to enable correctional centres to produce their own food while also contributing to national efforts to increase domestic food production.
Minister Lengor said the collaboration demonstrates the government’s commitment to reforming the correctional system by engaging inmates in productive agricultural activities. He noted that increasing food production within correctional centres could reduce government spending on imported rice while improving food sustainability for inmates.
Minister Kpaka welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step in advancing the Feed Salone agenda. He assured the delegation that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will provide the necessary technical support to ensure the success of the project.
The Paramount Chief of Makari Chiefdom, PC Bai Makari N’kolo, thanked the delegation for engaging local authorities and expressed support for the initiative, noting that it would contribute to national development.
The delegation was accompanied by the Director-General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Joseph J. Senesie, and other senior officials. Senesie stated that the service is also working to expand facility capacity to address inmate overcrowding, improve working conditions, and construct staff quarters in Rolaka with support from the government and development partners.