Children in Conflict with the Law in Ghana; Learning Across Jurisdictions 1.0
September 1, 2026 Reduce Recidivism Ghana 4 min read
At Reduce Recidivism Ghana, we believe that meaningful conversations are essential to building more effective and humane justice systems. On 21st August, 2026, we had the privilege of hosting an engaging online session with criminology and law student volunteers from the United Kingdom where we explored Ghana's juvenile justice system through both legal and criminological perspectives.
Our guest speaker, Selasi Kuwornu Esq, led participants through an insightful discussion that went beyond the legal framework governing children in conflict with the law. The session examined the key principles that shape Ghana's juvenile justice system, including rehabilitation, diversion, restorative justice, and desistance. Rather than viewing these concepts as abstract theories, participants were encouraged to consider how they influence practice and whether current interventions are effectively supporting children to successfully reintegrate into society.
The discussion also challenged participants to think critically about important questions facing juvenile justice in Ghana. Are existing interventions achieving their intended rehabilitative outcomes? How can evidence and criminological research help us evaluate what is working and identify areas where the system can be strengthened? These conversations reinforce the importance of grounding policy and practice in research while remaining committed to the welfare and long-term development of children.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the session was hearing participants compare Ghana's juvenile justice system with their own experiences and understanding of youth justice in England. These international perspectives created an opportunity for mutual learning rather than simply identifying differences.
Reflecting on the session, one participant shared:
"During the online webinar with Tracy Frimpong and Selasi Kuwornu Esq, we had the opportunity to discuss and learn about the juvenile justice system in Ghana. Here the main priority is to protect the welfare of children and there is a strong focus on rehabilitation. I was surprised by the level of understanding shown towards children, particularly when compared with the treatment of adult prisoners."
The participant also observed that England's youth justice system often responds more punitively to children than Ghana's, noting differences in the age of criminal responsibility and sentencing practices. At the same time, they recognised that every justice system faces its own challenges.
They reflected that while Ghana's emphasis on rehabilitation has the potential to equip young people with the skills and support needed to avoid reoffending, there are important questions that deserve continued discussion. These include balancing rehabilitation with the interests of victims in serious cases and addressing practical concerns, such as ensuring that younger detainees are protected when older individuals remain in juvenile facilities because they committed offences while they were minors.
These reflections highlight exactly why international dialogue matters. Comparative discussions encourage us not only to appreciate the strengths of different justice systems but also to critically examine where improvements can be made. No system is perfect, and there is always value in learning from the experiences, research, and practices of others.
At Reduce Recidivism Ghana, we remain committed to creating opportunities for these important conversations. By bringing together practitioners, researchers, students, and volunteers from different countries, we hope to promote evidence-informed discussions that contribute to more effective justice policies and better outcomes for children and young people.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Selasi Kuwornu Esq for sharing herexpertise and to our UK volunteers for their thoughtful engagement and insightful contributions. We look forward to continuing to facilitate learning experiences that bridge research, practice, and international perspectives in criminal justice.
Selasi Kuwornu is a Ghanaian prosecutor and Ph.D. researcher in International Crime and Justice at Florida International University. She currently serves as the Managing Editor for Homicide Studies, an international peer reviewed journal in the United States. She has a particular interest in juvenile justice and previously taught Juvenile Justice as part of the Criminal Justice Executive Course at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Ghana.
She is the author of Children and the Criminal Justice System in Ghana, an accessible guide to Ghana’s juvenile justice system that explains the legal and institutional framework governing children who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
Her broader professional and research interests include prosecution, criminal justice policy, transnational crime, and institutional reform. She is also the founder of Criminal Law Blog Ghana, a platform dedicated to making criminal law, procedure, and criminal justice scholarship more accessible and encouraging informed discussion on criminal justice practice and reform in Ghana.
