By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku | GhanaianNewsCanada | Accra, Ghana | July 8, 2026
Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, paving the way for the reintroduction of tribunals under a new legal framework aimed at improving access to justice and reducing delays in the country’s judicial system. The legislation was approved after a heated debate that saw the Minority Caucus walk out in protest before the final vote.
The Bill, introduced by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, successfully passed its third reading after Parliament waived the usual one-day waiting period between the consideration stage and final approval. It will now be transmitted to President John Dramani Mahama for assent before becoming law.
According to the Attorney-General, the legislation is intended to modernise Ghana’s tribunal system by introducing constitutional safeguards while helping to ease the growing backlog of cases before the regular courts.
He argued that the new tribunals would complement the existing judicial structure by handling specialised matters requiring faster resolution, thereby improving the efficiency of justice delivery.
Minority Walks Out
The Bill, however, generated sharp political disagreement.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, opposed the legislation, describing it as an attempt to establish a “parallel system” outside Ghana’s existing court structure.
The Minority’s strongest objection centred on Clause 4, which allows tribunal panels to include non-lawyers alongside a legally qualified chairperson. Opposition MPs argued that permitting non-lawyers to adjudicate criminal matters could undermine due process and public confidence in the justice system.
After their proposed amendments were defeated, the Minority staged a walkout, accusing the Majority of pushing through legislation without adequate consensus.
Government Defends the Bill
Government has rejected suggestions that the new tribunals resemble those associated with past military regimes.
Dr. Ayine has consistently maintained that the proposed tribunals will operate strictly within the framework of the 1992 Constitution, with enhanced judicial oversight and safeguards to protect human rights and ensure fairness.
He has also assured Ghanaians that the legislation is designed to improve access to justice rather than replace or weaken the country’s established courts.
Awaiting Presidential Assent
With parliamentary approval secured, the Tribunals Bill now awaits presidential assent before it becomes law.
If signed by President Mahama, the legislation will formally reintroduce tribunals as part of Ghana’s justice delivery system, marking one of the most significant judicial reforms undertaken in recent years.
The Bill is expected to remain the subject of public and legal debate as stakeholders assess its implications for Ghana’s constitutional democracy, judicial independence and the future administration of justice.
