Former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has welcomed Parliament’s passage of the Community Service Bill, 2026, describing it as a major step towards reforming Ghana’s criminal justice system and easing congestion in the country’s prisons.
Parliament passed the Bill on Thursday, July 9, 2026, introducing community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for individuals convicted of minor offences.
Speaking to the media in Sunyani, Mr Tuah-Yeboah commended Parliament for approving the legislation and credited the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for laying the groundwork for the reform.
According to him, the previous government undertook extensive work on the Bill, including nationwide public education, but was unable to secure its passage before leaving office due to delays in Parliament.
He said the legislation marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s justice sector, noting that it will help decongest correctional facilities by reducing the number of offenders sentenced to imprisonment for minor crimes.
The Community Service Bill was laid before Parliament by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, on March 4, 2026, in accordance with Article 106(1) of the 1992 Constitution. It was subsequently referred to the Committee on Defence and Interior for consideration before its approval.
The new law establishes the legal and institutional framework for the implementation of community service as a sentencing option, giving courts greater flexibility in dealing with offenders convicted of specified minor offences.
Its passage is expected to reduce Ghana’s reliance on custodial sentences for low-level offences while promoting offender rehabilitation and easing pressure on the country’s prison system.
