The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has strongly criticised the Tribunals Bill, 2026, describing it as needless, wasteful and a step backwards for Ghana’s justice system.
The bill, which was laid before Parliament by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, seeks to reintroduce public tribunals into Ghana’s judicial structure. Parliament’s official bill records confirm that the Tribunals Bill, 2026 was laid and gazetted on June 26, 2026 by Dr Ayine.
Speaking on Oyerepa FM’s morning show, hosted by Nana Yaw Mensah Joel, Hon. Baffour Awuah questioned the timing, cost and real value of reviving a tribunal system that has been largely inactive for years.
“This bill is a step backward. It is unnecessary, duplicative, and burdensome on the taxpayer,” the MP said.
“At a time when we are talking about fiscal discipline and value for money, creating a whole new structure of tribunals with judges, staff, and infrastructure will offer absolutely no economic benefit to the country,” he added.
The Manhyia South legislator, who is also a lawyer and a member of Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, argued that Ghana does not need another layer of courts when the existing courts are already under-resourced. Parliament’s official profile confirms that Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah is the MP for Manhyia South and serves on the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.
According to him, government should rather invest in strengthening the conventional courts, improving logistics, appointing more judges where necessary and addressing the structural challenges that continue to delay justice delivery.
“Ghanaians need jobs, lower cost of living, and better services. How does creating another layer of courts put food on the table or reduce the hardship people are facing? The answer is simple: it doesn’t,” he said.
The Tribunals Bill proposes a two-tier tribunal system made up of Regional Tribunals and District Tribunals. Reports on the bill indicate that Regional Tribunals would have concurrent original jurisdiction with the High Court over selected criminal matters, including economic crimes, narcotics offences, tax-related offences, customs violations and cases involving loss of state funds or property.
District Tribunals are also expected to share jurisdiction with Circuit Courts in specified criminal matters, while excluding offences such as treason, capital offences and matters triable on indictment. The bill further excludes constitutional interpretation cases, human rights enforcement matters and other cases expressly barred by law.
The Attorney-General has defended the proposal as a measure to complement the existing courts, reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice. The bill is also said to seek the operationalisation of constitutional provisions on tribunals, including Article 126 of the 1992 Constitution.
However, Hon. Baffour Awuah insists that the proposal risks creating unnecessary bureaucracy at a time the country should be prioritising economic relief and efficient public spending.
He urged Parliament to scrutinise the bill thoroughly and ensure it does not become “another drain on public resources.”
The reintroduction of public tribunals has already triggered debate in Parliament and among legal observers, with supporters arguing that the tribunals could help reduce delays in the justice system, while critics warn that Ghana must avoid reviving structures that could duplicate existing courts and increase the financial burden on the state.
Source: Kwabena Danso-Dapaah
Comments
No comments yet.