By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Mar. 4, GNA – Ghana’s remand prisoner population has dropped to 12.81 percent of the total inmate population, following years of sustained reforms under the Justice for All Program (JFAP).
Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal, announced this during the 2026 inprison court sitting at the Koforidua Local Prison on Tuesday.
During the sitting, 31 cases were reviewed.
Justice Botwe noted that the new figures reflected the programme’s long-term impact in easing overcrowding and reducing prolonged pre-trial detention across the country.
“It is refreshing and my pleasure to announce that as of March 2, 2026, data from the Ghana Prisons Service indicate a total inmate population of 13,620, comprising 1,745 remands (12.81 percent) and 11,875 convicts (87.19 percent),” she said.
This year’s Justice for All Programme sitting at the Koforidua Local Prison reviewed 31 pre-trial cases through an In‑Prison Court Sitting.
Out of the total, 15 detainees were granted bail, four were convicted and dealt with, and two were referred for psychiatric treatment.
Two bail applications were refused; five cases were struck out, and three were withdrawn.
The JFAP, established in 2007, is a state-led initiative aimed at reducing overcrowding in Ghana’s prisons and addressing bottlenecks in the justice delivery system.
Justice Botwe said this year’s programme was organised and funded by state institutions, including the Judicial Service, the Office of the Attorney-General, and the Public Defenders Division of the Legal Aid Authority.
She explained that Article 14(4) of the 1992 Constitution states that anyone who is arrested or detained must be released, either unconditionally or on reasonable conditions, if they are not tried within a reasonable time.
She added that this requirement still applies even when further proceedings were expected to follow.
She noted that the lack of a clear legal definition for what constitutes a “reasonable time,” together with institutional challenges, has historically contributed to prolonged pre-trial detention in Ghana.
Justice Botwe recalled that the first Justice for All Programme was held in 2007 under then Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.
At the time, the country’s total prisoner population was 13,800, out of which 4,218 were remand prisoners, constituting 30.57 percent.
She said this high remand population was a major contributor to prison overcrowding, which stood at 72.41 percent then.
Over the past 19 years, the programme has had a direct impact on remand levels, reducing the remand population from 30.57 percent in 2007 to 12.81 percent.
Justice Botwe attributed this progress to improved collaboration and capacity-building among critical justice-sector institutions, including the Judiciary, the Police, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Attorney‑General, and the Legal Aid Authority.
She added that the Judiciary has introduced nationwide training to ensure judges strictly apply to Section 96 of the Criminal Procedure Act and Supreme Court decisions relating to bail.
“Let us remember that justice is the cornerstone of peace and development. The Justice for All Programme is not just about numbers.”
She emphasised that, “it is about people, families, and communities whose lives are touched by fairness and equity. It is about building a justice system that works for all, especially the most vulnerable.”
She said that as the criminal justice system becomes more efficient, the need for the Justice for All Programme will naturally decline.
She urged the public, NGOs, civil society, and the media to acknowledge the progress made and avoid relying on outdated information that misrepresents the current state of Ghana’s remand system.
Justice Botwe encouraged lawyers to offer pro bono services and called on stakeholders to help address ongoing challenges within the criminal justice system.
The Judiciary also plans reforms to strengthen jury and criminal trials, including support for plea bargaining under Section 162(A) of Act 1079.
She urged investigators to work diligently to avoid unnecessary delays that keep suspects on remand longer than necessary.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Benjamin Mensah