ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ghanaian juvenile justice system

Okay kiddo, so in Ghana, there are rules for how kids who break the law are treated. This is called the juvenile justice system.

When a kid does something that is against the law in Ghana, like stealing or fighting, they might end up facing the juvenile justice system. Unlike adults, kids are not treated the same way as grown-ups in Ghana's legal system.

The goal of the juvenile justice system is to help these kids learn from their mistakes and get back on track, instead of just punishing them like adults. This is because kids are still learning and growing, so they might not fully understand the consequences of their actions.

When a kid is in trouble with the law, they will first meet with a social worker who will assess their situation and decide what kind of help they need. The social worker might recommend counseling, community service, or other programs that can help the kid learn from their mistake.

If the crime is more serious, the kid might end up in a special juvenile court. This court is not like the adult court, it's more like a classroom. There is a judge, a prosecutor, and a defense lawyer, who help the kid understand what they did wrong and what they can do to make things right.

The judge might also order the kid to go to a special school for kids who need more help, or they might even have to stay in a special center until they are ready to go back home.

Overall, the Ghanaian juvenile justice system is focused on helping kids learn from their mistakes and become better people, instead of just punishing them for their actions.