Chief Justice nominee Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called for the introduction of community service sentences, a parole system, and the revival of the “Justice for All” program to help alleviate the overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons. During his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions in the country’s correctional facilities. He highlighted that many prisons, such as Nsawam and Kumasi Prisons, are operating well beyond their capacity.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said, “I’m told that the inmate situation at Nsawam Prison was built for a capacity of 851. As of today, the number is about 3,562, in variance of 2,711. Kumasi Prison was built for 416 persons. As of today, they are 1,727, and this is replicated all over. The prisons are choked, and this is a bother.” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie identified indiscriminate remand practices as one of the major contributors to the congestion and stressed the need to reform sentencing and bail systems.
“One of the issues we face is the indiscriminate remanding of individuals. I want to revive the initiative for ‘Justice for All’ to help address these cases. Many people are in prison or on remand simply because they cannot afford to meet their bail conditions.” He continued, “We should implement community sentences.
This is an important matter, and it’s a law that you should advocate for. Another way to alleviate overcrowding in prisons is through the parole system for those who demonstrate good behaviour. By doing this, we can significantly reduce congestion in our prisons. We are committed to this effort, and we will work to limit the tendency for excessively long sentences.”
The “Justice for All” programme, introduced in 2007, sought to expedite the hearing of remand cases to prevent prolonged detention. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said he intends to “reignite and revamp” the initiative as part of wider judicial reforms aimed at ensuring fair and humane justice delivery. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is being vetted following the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, a process that has sparked public debate and pending legal challenges.
Source: Leticia Osei
