The Committee on Defence and Interior has consulted relevant stakeholders on the Community Service Bill 2026, aimed at improving the living conditions of inmates in the various prisons.
The Committee on April 14, 2026, engaged officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre, Prisons Service, Fire Service, and the Gaming Commission to consider the Community Service Bill 2026.
Also present were representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, Police, Social Welfare, and the Law Reform Commission, as well as Civil society groups, including the POS Foundation, LRC, and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
The session focused on the National Community Service Secretariat’s structure, including management boards, regional and district committees, and financial provisions, including the Rehabilitative Fund.
In his opening remarks, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak explained that the bill aims to decongest prisons nationwide, reduce the cost of inmate maintenance and feeding, and lower recidivism rates.
The bill applies to offences punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than three years, with or without a fine, and provides that offenders will work not more than eight hours a day.
A roundtable discussion allowed participants to present their views and contribute to the deliberations.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon James Agalga, and Ranking Member, Hon Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, called for the bill to be fast-tracked for swift implementation, stressing the need to ensure it does not impose a financial burden, thereby facilitating its effective execution.
Director General of Prisons Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie underscored the importance of clearly defining the Bill to ensure the legislation remains progressive and impactful upon passage.
The Committee will continue its sitting through to Friday, April 17, 2026.
Click to read more:
Source:
opemsuo.com