Passing of the Community Service Bill: Another Legacy of President John Mahama

The passage of the Community Service Bill, 2026 is yet another indication that President John Dramani Mahama’s government is committed to adopting good governance practices from both developed and developing countries to improve governance and the administration of justice in Ghana.

Deviant behaviour is an inevitable feature of every society, and the state bears a degree of responsibility for addressing the social conditions that contribute to such behaviour. Consequently, the state's response should not be limited to punitive measures alone but should also incorporate preventive, restorative, rehabilitative, and corrective approaches.

Historically, Ghana’s response to criminal and deviant behaviour has been based on a punitive model, with custodial sentences serving as the primary sanction. The Community Service Bill seeks to shift this paradigm by introducing non-custodial and community-based interventions within the criminal justice system.

A critical review of the Bill demonstrates that its framers are determined to align Ghana’s criminal justice system with international best practices by promoting non-custodial sentencing options and rehabilitative measures. This approach recognises that not all offenders require imprisonment and that many can be effectively

rehabilitated while remaining within their communities.

Clause 5 of the Bill outlines the composition of the Management Board, which consists primarily of the appointment of ex-officio due to their expertise or positions within key institutions. The Board is to be chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice and will include the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, or a representative not below the rank of Assistant Director, along with heads or representatives of other relevant institutions.

Furthermore, Clause 21 establishes a Community Service Secretariat, headed by a National Coordinator. To qualify for appointment, an individual must be a person of proven integrity with the requisite knowledge and expertise in both social work and the criminal justice system.

The composition of the Management Board and the professional requirements for the National Coordinator demonstrate the government's intention to promote professional leadership, inter-professional collaboration, and multi-agency working in the implementation of the legislation.

I have consistently maintained that Ghana is a pacesetter within the West African sub-region when it comes to the enactment of social protection legislation. However, the challenge has often been in the area of implementation. It is my expectation that the implementation of the Community Service Act will reflect the multi-agency composition of the Management Board through strong collaboration at national, regional, and district levels.

Particular attention should be paid to frontline case management involving individuals subject to community service orders.

International experience provides useful lessons. In England and Wales, Probation Officers/Social worker play a leading role in supervising and implementing community sentences, while in Scotland, Justice Social Workers are the lead professionals responsible for the assessment, supervision, and rehabilitation of offenders subject to community-based orders.

The adoption of a similar inter-professional approach in Ghana, led by appropriately qualified social work professionals and supported by key criminal justice agencies, would contribute significantly to the effective and efficient implementation of the Community Service Act.

Such a model would not only enhance rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes but also strengthen public confidence in a modern, humane, and restorative criminal justice system.

The Community Service Bill, 2026 therefore represents a significant milestone in Ghana’s justice sector reforms and stands as another important legacy of President John Mahama’s administration. Its success, however, will depend on effective implementation, adequate resources, and sustained multi-agency collaboration.

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