The new piece of legislation aimed at setting up a nationwide network of tribunals will “decongest” Ghana’s struggling court system, the government has said.
The Tribunal Bill 2026 seeks to establish specialized local bodies to fast-track minor disputes and clear a mounting backlog of legal cases.
Speaking to reporters in parliament, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, said the reforms would bring faster, more accessible justice to ordinary citizens.
He explained that the legislation would finally put into action Articles 126 and 142 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which explicitly allow for the creation of district and regional tribunals.
“The Tribunal Bill 2026 is not about creating parallel courts. It is about complementing the existing judicial system so that cases that are dragging for years can be resolved expeditiously,” Dr Ayine said.
The proposals have sparked some concern due to Ghana’s history. During the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) military era in the 1980s, public tribunals were widely criticized for bypassing standard legal protections and acting as political tools.
Dr Ayine sought to reassure critics, emphasizing that the new system would feature strict constitutional protections.
“I acknowledge the history. That is why this Bill has built-in safeguards. The tribunals will operate under the supervision of the Judicial Council, with right of appeal to the High Court and adherence to constitutional due process,” he stated.
Unlike the secretive tribunals of the past, the minister promised that the new panels would be transparent, rights-based, and led by individuals of high integrity chosen by the Chief Justice.
“We are not going back to a system where people cannot see the faces of their judges. Every proceeding will be open, and the rules of natural justice will apply,” Dr Ayine added.
The courts currently face severe delays. If passed, the new tribunals will use simplified legal procedures to handle low-level offenses, small debt recoveries, and minor civil and criminal matters.
Dr Ayine urged MPs to back the legislation, stating it is a key part of President John Mahama’s broader agenda to streamline public services and make the legal system more responsive to everyday Ghanaians.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana