Accra, Ghana – Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has publicly condemned the excessive and often abusive use of pre-trial detention (remand) and the imposition of overly stringent bail conditions by both the police and the judiciary. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, May 28, the Minister highlighted these practices as a significant contributor to prison congestion and a drain on public resources.
Context of Judicial Strain
The Ghanaian justice system, like many others globally, faces persistent challenges in managing caseloads and ensuring efficient, fair trials. Remand, the pre-trial detention of an accused person, is intended as a measure to prevent flight, tampering with evidence, or further criminal activity. However, its overuse can lead to prolonged detentions for individuals who may ultimately be found innocent.
This issue is compounded by the financial burden placed on the state. The Minister revealed that approximately GH¢40 million is spent annually on feeding inmates, a sum he described as
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