Bolgatanga: Mrs. Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal, has emphasized that the Justice for All Programme (JFAP) has transcended its original aim of addressing overcrowding in prisons and now stands as a significant symbol of Ghana's commitment to justice, human rights, and the rule of law. During an in-prison JFAP court session at Ho Central Prison, 19 pre-trial cases were reviewed, resulting in 12 bail approvals, one discharge, three referrals for psychiatric evaluation, and three convictions.
According to Ghana News Agency, Justice Asare-Botwe highlighted the JFAP's role in facilitating timely hearings for remand prisoners, which reduces unnecessary detention and strengthens public confidence in the justice system. She cited Article 14(4) of Ghana's Constitution, which ensures release for those not tried within a 'reasonable time,' but pointed out that vague definitions and institutional challenges often result in prolonged remand periods, sometimes exceeding maximum sentences for the alleged offenses.
Justice Asare-Botwe detailed that since its inception in 2007, JFAP has effectively addressed these issues. Initially, the total prisoner population was 13,800, with 4,218 being remand or pre-trial inmates, accounting for 30.57 percent of the total. As of March 2, 2026, data from the Ghana Prisons Service Records Units shows that the inmate population is 13,620, with remand prisoners constituting 12.81 percent, reflecting the program's impact over 19 years.
She credited the program's success to the collaboration between the Judiciary, Office of the Attorney General, and Legal Aid Commission, while acknowledging the need for continued investment. Justice Asare-Botwe urged lawyers to provide pro bono services and called on stakeholders to address ongoing challenges within Ghana's criminal justice system, highlighting that 'justice is the cornerstone of peace and development.'
Justice Asare-Botwe appealed for ongoing support of the JFAP, stressing that the initiative focuses on the individuals, families, and communities affected by equitable justice, and aims to build a system accessible to all, especially the vulnerable. She urged state actors, particularly investigators and prosecutors, to approach cases with diligence, reminding them that 'accused persons are people too.'
JFAP, a state-led intervention established in 2007, aims to alleviate prison overcrowding and protect the rights of remand prisoners by setting up mobile in-prison courts across the country. It benefits from the collective efforts of the Judicial Service of Ghana, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Ghana Prisons and Police Service, among others.