Chief Justice nominee, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called for urgent reforms to tackle Ghana’s chronic prison congestion, proposing community service sentences, a parole system, and the revival of the “Justice for All” programme to ensure fair and humane justice delivery.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions in the country’s correctional facilities, highlighting that many prisons are operating at several times their intended capacity.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie also proposed the introduction of community-based sentences and parole opportunities for good conduct as key tools to reduce overcrowding and provide alternative paths to rehabilitation.
“I’m told that Nsawam Prison, built for 851 inmates, currently houses about 3,562 — a variance of 2,711. Kumasi Prison was designed for 416 persons, yet it holds 1,727. This is replicated across the country. The prisons are choked, and this is a bother,” he said.
“Community sentences should be introduced. Another way of decongesting the prisons is through the parole system. If we implement these measures, we can significantly reduce congestion while ensuring justice is served,” he added.
The nominee blamed indiscriminate remand practices, long sentences, and the inability of some inmates to meet bail conditions for much of the congestion.
“One of the causes is people being remanded indiscriminately. Many are in prison simply because they cannot meet bail conditions. We can reignite and revamp the Justice for All programme to expedite remand cases and relieve this pressure,” he stated.
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