On 5 October 2026, President John Dramani Mahama exercised the prerogative of mercy under Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution in favour of 863 convicted persons in commemoration of Ghana's 70th independence anniversary. According to the official announcement, 819 first offenders were granted outright release, together with 13 prisoners aged 70 years or above, 6 … Continue reading Presidential Pardons in Ghana: What Are the Legal Consequences?
alternative punishment
From Mitigation to Community Justice: What Should Counsel Say to Persuade a Ghanaian Court to Impose a Community Service Sentence?
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq. Introduction The introduction of community service into Ghana's sentencing framework presents defence counsel with an important opportunity. The question, however, is not simply whether an accused person deserves “mercy”. The more appropriate question is whether, having regard to … Continue reading From Mitigation to Community Justice: What Should Counsel Say to Persuade a Ghanaian Court to Impose a Community Service Sentence?
Rehabilitation of Offenders: Lessons from International Practice for Ghana
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq.Introduction For many years, imprisonment has largely been understood as an instrument of punishment. The offender commits an offence, is convicted and is sent to prison to serve a prescribed sentence. However, modern correctional policy increasingly recognises that … Continue reading Rehabilitation of Offenders: Lessons from International Practice for Ghana
Beyond Community Service: Ghana’s Need For A Comprehensive Non-Custodial Sentencing Framework
By: Tracy Abena Serwaa Frimpong Abstract Ghana’s criminal justice framework has long been characterised by imprisonments even for misdemeanours and minor offences. But recently, the Parliament of Ghana has taken a major step through the passage of the Community Service Bill 2026 to introduce community service as an alternative to imprisonment for minor offences. However, … Continue reading Beyond Community Service: Ghana’s Need For A Comprehensive Non-Custodial Sentencing Framework
Penal Reform in Ghana: How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Community Sentencing
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq. For many years, Ghana's criminal justice system has relied heavily on custodial sentences, even for offences that could be addressed through alternative forms of punishment. This overreliance on imprisonment has contributed to overcrowded prisons, increased public expenditure, … Continue reading Penal Reform in Ghana: How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Community Sentencing
The Community Service Bill, 2026: Learning from Experience, Avoiding Excess
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq. Ghana’s criminal justice system is undergoing a necessary and long-overdue shift. The Community Service Bill, 2026, currently before Parliament, reflects a growing consensus—one that has been echoed in prior discussions and scholarship—that imprisonment should not … Continue reading The Community Service Bill, 2026: Learning from Experience, Avoiding Excess
