Ghana: No Jail for Some Offenders? Parliament Passes Community Service Bill

Ghanian Parliament has passed the Community Service Bill, 2026, introducing community service as an alternative sentence for people convicted of specified minor offences. The new law establishes a National Community Service Secretariat to oversee non-custodial sentencing, with the aim of reducing prison overcrowding, promoting offender rehabilitation, and encouraging restorative justice instead of short-term imprisonment. The Bill now awaits presidential assent before it takes effect. JoyNews discusses the recent changes in this episode of Matters Arising

Watch the full episode: No Jail for Some Offenders? Parliament Passes Community Service Bill

Screenshot 2026-07-20 at 12.11.02
Date:
20 July, 2026
Type of Update:
In the News
Recent Events
Themes:
Courts Systems
Fees and Fines
Human Rights
Petty Offences
Countries:
Ghana
Regions:
Africa
FInal-logo-english-white

The Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status is a coalition of organisations from across the world that advocate for the repeal of laws that target people based on poverty, status or for their activism.

@decrimpovertystatus

#DecrimPoverty   |  #DecrimStatus  |  #DecrimActivism