Nana Fosu Kesseh III, Bofonahene of Nerebehe in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ashanti region, has called on the government through the Interior ministry and all concerned stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, do all it takes to decongest the various prisons in the country.
According to him, the rate at which the prisons are becoming congested is alarming, hence the need to do something about the situation at the prisons, across the length and breadth of the country.
The chief made the call at a public sensitisation forum on the passage of the Community Service Sentencing Bill, organised by Muslim Family Counseling Service (MFCS), in collaboration with Commonwealth Human Right Initiative (CHRI), supported by USAID Justice Sector Supports (JSS) at Bantama in Kumasi.
He was of the view that, the continued overcrowding of the prisons is life threatening to convicts and those on remand and all inmates generally.
Nana Kesseh, who represented Nana Baffuor Asare, the Bantamahene, indicated that offenders with petty criminal cases or misdemeanor need not be given custodial sentences.
He said community service sentencing would contribute to national development instead of wasting resources on them while in custody.
He suggested that government engages first time offenders and petty criminals in agriculture to enhance food security in the country.
Madam Esther Apreku, the Kumasi Metropolitan Director of the Department of Social Welfare, at the forum stressed that, the passage of the Community Service Bill in Ghana is long overdue. She noted that the overcrowded prisons are as a result of the conviction of persons over misdemeanor and petty offenders and innocent inmates who failed to make a proper presentation of their cases in court.
She also called for the urgent passage of the bill, and entreated stakeholders to speed up processes in bringing the passage of the Bill into law.
Madam Apreku indicated that the Community Service Bill needs intensive public sensitisation and education and urged the public to support the advocacy for the immediate passage of the Bill.
Mr. Tijani Mahmoud, Programme Manager for MFCS, explained what the Bill entails and what it stands to achieve when passed into law.
He underscored that the traditional approach, where petty offenders are always given custodial sentences could sometimes defeat their rights.
He disclosed that most of the inmates get psychologically, physically and emotionally traumatised.
Mr. Tijani Mahmoud used the forum to educate the public on specific crimes and offences that the Bill would address when passed into law.
