Parliament has passed the Community Service Bill, 2026. This marks a significant change in Ghana's justice system.
The new law allows some offenders to perform community service instead of going to prison. This applies to those convicted of specific types of crimes.
The bill establishes a National Community Service Secretariat. This group will manage the new system across the country.
This legislation provides a legal framework for non-custodial sentences. These are punishments that do not involve locking people up.
The move is expected to help ease overcrowding in Ghana's prisons. Many prisons are currently holding more people than they are designed for.
Community service is seen as a way to promote rehabilitation. It allows offenders to contribute to the community while serving their sentence.
Lawmakers believe this will lead to a more effective justice system for certain offenses.
The Ministry of Justice and the Ghana Prison Service will oversee the implementation of the new law.