The Head of Public Law at GIMPA, Edmund Foley has urged government to decriminalise petty or minor offences and allow for fines and communal labour as punishment for them.

Speaking at a workshop for the media in Accra, Mr Foley said unfair treatments and unlawful arrests are the major causes of the alarming congestion in the country’s prisons therefore decriminalisation of petty offences will enable government to channel resources into more pressing national issues.

This he believes, will strengthen the justice system and protect the rights of citizens.

A Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate, Martin Kpebu asked government to tackle the root cause of petty offences by creating an enabling environment for jobs. He throws more light on the guidelines for acceptable human rights practices.