Explainer
Your rights if you are arrested in Ghana
What the 1992 Constitution says happens when police arrest or detain someone: reasons, a lawyer, the 48-hour rule, bail and fair treatment.
Last updated 27 October 2026. By the GhanaCrimes Newsroom.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on a specific situation, speak to a qualified lawyer or the Legal Aid Commission.
You must be told why, and that you can have a lawyer
Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution says a person who is arrested, restricted or detained must be informed immediately, in a language they understand, of the reasons for the arrest and of their right to a lawyer of their choice.
Police may arrest on reasonable suspicion that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a criminal offence (Article 14(1)).
The 48-hour rule
Under Article 14(3), a person arrested on suspicion of an offence who is not released must be brought before a court within 48 hours after the arrest.
If the person is not tried within a reasonable time, Article 14(4) says they must be released, either unconditionally or on reasonable conditions such as bail, without stopping any later proceedings.
Police enquiry bail and court bail are explained in our guide to how police bail works.
Dignity in custody
Article 15 says no person, whether or not they are arrested or detained, may be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
It also says a person who has not been convicted must not be treated as a convicted person.
A person who is unlawfully arrested or detained is entitled to compensation (Article 14(5)).
If you are charged
Article 19 guarantees a fair hearing within a reasonable time. A person charged is presumed innocent until proved guilty or until they plead guilty (Article 19(2)(c)).
They must be told in detail, in a language they understand, what offence they are charged with, given time to prepare a defence, and may defend themselves in person or through a lawyer of their choice. An interpreter is provided free where needed.
No person on trial for a criminal offence can be compelled to give evidence at their trial (Article 19).
Complaints about police conduct
Complaints about how officers behaved can be made to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) of the Ghana Police Service.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Anyone arrested should speak to a lawyer; the Legal Aid Commission can help people who cannot afford one.
Sources: 1992 Constitution of Ghana (as amended 1996), full text: Constitute Project, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Police Service: Police Professional Standards Bureau, Legal Aid Commission of Ghana