Pass Community Sentencing bill to ease prison crisis-ACHPR urges Ghana
The Commission’s remarks followed a promotion mission to Ghana from September 29 to October 2, 2025. Among its key findings was severe overcrowding in prisons, with Nsawam Medium Security Prison housing 3,496 inmates—more than three times its official capacity of 1,000.
.jpeg)
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has expressed deep concern about persistent human rights violations in Ghana’s justice and correctional systems, warning that current reforms are inadequate to address entrenched challenges.
The Commission’s remarks followed a promotion mission to Ghana from September 29 to October 2, 2025. Among its key findings was severe overcrowding in prisons, with Nsawam Medium Security Prison housing 3,496 inmates—more than three times its official capacity of 1,000.
According to the ACHPR, the delayed passage of the Community Sentencing Bill, which would provide alternative sentencing for minor offences, continues to worsen congestion in detention facilities. The Commission also highlighted sharp inequalities across prisons: while some offer inmates opportunities for tertiary education, others lack even the most basic learning programmes. Civilian teachers working in prisons, it added, often receive inadequate training.
The ACHPR further noted inconsistent compliance with international human rights standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, across Ghana’s correctional system.
To address these concerns, the Commission urged the government to fast-track the Community Sentencing Bill and fully operationalise it. It also recommended:
Passing anti-torture legislation.
Empowering CHRAJ as the official National Preventive Mechanism with authority to conduct unannounced inspections of detention facilities.
Ensuring the Independent Police Complaint Committee is functional by January 2026, in line with government commitments.
Introducing mandatory human rights training for prison and police personnel, covering the Mandela Rules, de-escalation practices, and rights-based management of public assemblies under the Public Order Act.
The Commission concluded that without decisive and coordinated action, Ghana risks entrenching piecemeal reforms and leaving detainees vulnerable to ongoing violations of their rights and dignity.
