Manga: The Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, launched the first tilapia harvest at the Manga Detention and Correction Center (MAC-M) fish farm on Monday in Manga. This initiative is part of the broader agro-forestry-pastoral offensive and aims to strengthen the social reintegration of inmates.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the MAC-M fish farm was established in November 2025 with the support of the Livestock Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PRECEL). It provides a practical learning environment for residents, while also contributing to the improvement of their living conditions.

The Minister of Justice praised the initiative, which aligns with the national authorities' social reintegration policy. He indicated that the project aims, in particular, to promote food self-sufficiency for prisoners, provide them with vocational training, and foster their dignity.

Addressing the residents, Mr. Bayala declared that this harvest constitutes "their victory" and proof of their ability to contribute to the country's economic development. "Each fish harvested is a step closer to food self-sufficiency and restored dignity," he affirmed.

According to the director of the MAC in Manga, Oumarou Demi, to date, approximately 1,500 fry have been stocked, and production is estimated at 2.3 tonnes. He also highlighted that 32 inmates were trained in fish farming techniques, with the support of about ten prison officers.

Technical support ensured the maintenance of the ponds and the monitoring of the fish farming, while the feeding of the fish was partially taken care of by a partner, explained Mr. Demi. For him, this initiative represents a concrete opportunity for reintegration. "The prisoners acquire skills that will allow them to provide for themselves after their release," he stated, adding that prospects for extending the project to four ponds, with the production of fry, are being considered.

The residents' representative expressed his deep gratitude to the regional authorities and partners for their constant support in food, training, and guidance. While appreciating the Burkinabe authorities' vision of transforming prisons into training centers, he raised concerns regarding the improvement of detention conditions, equipment, and access to certain pardon measures.