Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee Reviews Community Service Bill 2026 to Ease Prison Congestion

The Committee on Defence and Interior has met with key security and regulatory agencies to review the Community Service Bill 2026, a proposed law aimed at reducing pressure on Ghana’s prison system.

The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and the Gaming Commission.

Lawmakers also considered the 2024 Audit Committee’s annual report on the Ministry and its agencies.

In his opening remarks, Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak said the bill seeks to decongest prisons nationwide, cut the cost of inmate maintenance and feeding, and lower recidivism rates.

The bill applies to offences punishable by 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 on community service.

The intent is to shift eligible offenders from custodial sentences to supervised community work.

The session included a roundtable discussion where participating agencies presented their views and contributed to deliberations on implementation and oversight.

Committee Chairman Hon James Agalga and Ranking Member Hon Rev John Ntim Fordjour urged that the bill be fast-tracked for swift implementation.

Both stressed that execution must avoid imposing new financial burdens on agencies to ensure the law is effective in practice.

The Committee will continue its sitting through to Friday, 17th April 2026.