The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has strongly admonished President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the recently passed Tribunals Bill.
The former Vice President argued that such a significant piece of legislation should only become law after broad national consultations with key stakeholders.
Speaking during a live broadcast on Sunday, 19 July, Dr Bawumia expressed grave concern over the swift passage of the bill.
He directly appealed to the President to suspend the executive assent process to allow for wider engagement with groups that have a direct interest in Ghana’s justice system.
The NPP flagbearer opined that any law carrying such far-reaching implications for the country’s judicial architecture must be shaped through genuine national consensus, rather than relying solely on parliamentary majorities.
To achieve this, he proposed a comprehensive stakeholder consultation involving civil society organisations, labour unions, and political parties.
This approach, he noted, would help build public confidence in the legislation and ensure that any structural reforms reflect the collective interests of Ghanaians.
Detailing his concerns, Dr Bawumia noted that rushing the bill into law without consensus risks undermining public trust in the judiciary.
“The bill will soon be transmitted to the president for his assent, and I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr. President, do not assent to this bill. Pause and let the nation ponder and deliberate on this very important matter.
“This is not a partisan request. The Trades Union Congress and the voice of millions of Ghanaian workers have called for the bill to be withdrawn, warning that in its current form, it could become a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery.
“Those are the words of Ghanaian workers, not of any political party. Consider also the government’s own process. The president established the Constitution Review Committee and it recommended removing regional tribunals from the constitution because the High Court has long carried their case loads.”
“My call is simple and constructive, withhold your assent. Convene genuine national engagement. Invite the Ghana Bar Association and other lawyer groups, Organised Labour, CSOs and the political parties including my own and we will come in good faith and consult the judiciary itself.
“Justice belongs to no government and no party, it belongs to the Ghanaian people and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus and not a headcount.
“Mr. President, the pen is in your handy, use it not to assent to this bill but write an invitation to the nation.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
