Parliament has passed the Community Service Bill, introducing community service as an alternative sentence for persons convicted of selected minor, non-violent offences in a major reform of Ghana’s criminal justice system.

The Bill, once assented to by President John Dramani Mahama, will empower courts to sentence eligible offenders to supervised community service instead of short-term imprisonment.

The new legislation is expected to help tackle the longstanding problem of overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons while reducing the cost of maintaining inmates. It also seeks to promote rehabilitation and restorative justice by allowing offenders to contribute positively to society rather than serving custodial sentences for less serious crimes.

Under the new legal framework, judges will have the discretion to impose structured community service on qualifying offenders, with the work to be carried out under the supervision of designated authorities.

The programme is intended to encourage accountability, foster behavioural change and support the successful reintegration of offenders into society.

Lawmakers believe the passage of the Bill marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise its criminal justice system by adopting sentencing approaches that focus on rehabilitation while maintaining public safety.

The legislation also forms part of broader reforms within the justice sector aimed at creating a more efficient, humane and sustainable correctional system. It is expected to ensure that imprisonment is reserved primarily for serious offences, while suitable alternatives are available for offenders convicted of minor, non-violent crimes.

The Community Service Bill will become law after it receives presidential assent and is subsequently brought into force.