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” programme to help decongest Ghana’s overcrowded prisons.
Appearing 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 revealed that most prisons are operating far beyond capacity, citing Nsawam and Kumasi Prisons as examples.
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 causes is people being remanded indiscriminately. It is something that I want to reignite, revamp it. We can have ‘Justice for All’ back on the road. So that we can get rid of some of these cases. There are people in prison or remand because they are not able to pay the bail conditions.”
He added, “Community sentences should be introduced. It’s in your bosom, Hon. It’s a law that should be taken up by you. Another way of decongesting the prison is through the parole system for exhibiting good conduct. We can reduce the congestion consideration if we do. We are at it, we will play our part, and we will curb the penchant for giving 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-Citi news