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
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The Legal Shift in the Role of Complainants and Victims in Ghanaian Criminal Proceedings
Ghana’s criminal process has traditionally been structured around a simple principle: criminal cases are prosecuted in the name of the Republic, not the individual victim. While victims, often referred to as complainants, are central to proving the facts of the case, their legal role has historically been limited. They report the offence, assist the police … Continue reading The Legal Shift in the Role of Complainants and Victims in Ghanaian Criminal Proceedings
Part 1: What Happens to a Criminal Case When the Accused Person Dies?
This article is Part 1 of a three-part short series examining the judicial processes that follow when an accused person dies in the course of a trial, and the principles that underpin them. What happens when an accused person dies in the middle of a trial? When an accused person dies while a criminal case … Continue reading Part 1: What Happens to a Criminal Case When the Accused Person Dies?
Enhanced Punishment in Sentencing
By: Rita Ofosua Appiah, Esq. What is an enhanced sentence? For every criminal offence, there is an offence creating section and a punishment section. Without these two, an action cannot be considered a crime. While the offence creating section declares an act or omission to be a crime, the punishment section determines the penalty or … Continue reading Enhanced Punishment in Sentencing
Community Service Regimes in Selected Common Law Jurisdictions
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq. This article follows an earlier discussion on the interpretive tension between sections 296 and 297 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which revealed a significant doctrinal gap in Ghanaian sentencing … Continue reading Community Service Regimes in Selected Common Law Jurisdictions
Sentencing in the Ghanaian Criminal Justice System: Reconciling Sections 296 and 297 of Act 30 with the Criminal Offences Act
By: Her Worship Georgette Carmel Lutterodt, Esq., Her Worship Anastacia Yaa Agyeiwaa Karimu, Esq. and Her Worship Dromo Afarley Djarbeng, Esq. The Principle of Legality in Ghanaian Criminal Law A foundational principle of Ghana’s criminal jurisprudence is the doctrine of legality: nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege. Simply put, no person may be convicted of a … Continue reading Sentencing in the Ghanaian Criminal Justice System: Reconciling Sections 296 and 297 of Act 30 with the Criminal Offences Act
Let’s Unpack the Committal Process
Introduction The District Court, also known as the Magistrate Court, has three of the most interesting criminal jurisdictions within our court system. Among other things, it hears juvenile cases, determines extradition applications brought by the State, and, most critically for this discussion, decides whether persons charged with the gravest criminal offences should be committed to … Continue reading Let’s Unpack the Committal Process
Modern Justice? A Legal Analysis of the Attorney-General’s Policy to Explain Reasons for Terminating High Profile Criminal Trials
By: Derrick Ackah-Nyamike, Esq. and Selasi Kuwornu, Esq. Introduction An essential aspect of Criminal Justice is the power to commence and to terminate criminal proceedings in court. Like several other jurisdictions, in Ghana all criminal matters are commenced at the instance of the Attorney-General (A-G). Article 88(3) of the Constitution, 1992 provides that the power to initiate … Continue reading Modern Justice? A Legal Analysis of the Attorney-General’s Policy to Explain Reasons for Terminating High Profile Criminal Trials
Criminal Justice Special Spotlight: Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam
The Honourable Judge with a heart of gold, a gavel and a pen: a real life titanium hero. About Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam: Her Honour Judge Sedinam Awo Kwadam stands out as a stalwart of Ghana’s judiciary and an inspiring voice in legal scholarship and personal resilience. She is a judge serving her country … Continue reading Criminal Justice Special Spotlight: Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam
Criminal Justice Spotlight: Reduce Recidivism Ghana
Supporting reintegration, restoring dignity About Reduce Recidivism Ghana: The Reduce Recidivism Project Ghana is a nonprofit initiative focused on supporting the successful reintegration of ex-offenders into society, a crucial but often neglected aspect of criminal justice reform. Founded by Tracy Frimpong in January 2025, the project supports the reformation and reintegration of juveniles in correctional centers … Continue reading Criminal Justice Spotlight: Reduce Recidivism Ghana
Criminal Law Blog Ghana 