The Ministry of the Interior has organised a 3-day Stakeholder Consultation to review the draft implementation plan for Community Service in Ghana.
The engagement was held at the Ministry and brought together key institutions including the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Judicial Service, Information Services Department, National Commission on Civic Education, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Local Government as well as representatives from Civil Society Organizations.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their support which led to the passage of the Community Service Bill by Parliament in July 2026.
He noted that the legislation establishes the National Community Service Secretariat and provides a legal framework for community service to be used as an alternative to custodial sentencing for persons convicted of specified categories of offences.
Hon. Terlabi stated that the consultation is important to fine-tune the draft implementation plan while the country awaits Presidential Assent to the Act. He added that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the framework, when operationalised, will be practical, humane, and aligned with Ghana’s justice and human rights standards.
Speaking on the concept, the Deputy Minister explained that under the new law, Community Service will give courts the option to sentence eligible offenders to perform unpaid work for the benefit of the community instead of sending them to prison.
The aim is to help decongest the prisons by diverting minor and non-violent offenders, while also promoting rehabilitation by allowing offenders to remain with their families and contribute positively to society.
According to him, the National Community Service Secretariat will be responsible for placement, monitoring and reporting to ensure that service is carried out with dignity and accountability.
Participants at the consultation commended the Ministry of the Interior for its commitment and for spearheading the Community Service Bill to passage.
They pledged their support for its smooth and effective implementation once it receives Presidential Assent.
