Parliament was sharply divided on Wednesday during the second reading of the Tribunals Bill, 2026, as the Majority and Minority Caucuses took opposing positions on the need to establish new tribunals as part of Ghana’s justice delivery system.
The Bill, which was laid before Parliament by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, seeks to introduce Regional and District Tribunals to complement the existing court system. Parliament’s official Bill tracker shows that the Tribunals Bill, 2026 was laid and gazetted on June 26, 2026.
During the debate, the Minority Caucus questioned the justification for the proposed tribunals, arguing that the explanation that they are needed to clear the growing backlog of cases in the traditional courts was not convincing enough.
According to the Minority, government must provide stronger reasons for creating another layer within the justice system, especially given Ghana’s historical experience with tribunals and public concerns about due process, fairness and judicial independence.
However, the Majority Caucus defended the Bill, insisting that the establishment of tribunals would rather strengthen the country’s judicial architecture and improve access to justice.
The Majority argued that the tribunals would not replace the existing courts but would serve as a complementary mechanism to help resolve specific categories of cases more efficiently and reduce pressure on the regular court system.
Presenting the report of the Joint Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Judiciary, the Chairperson, Hon. Shaibu Mahama, said the backlog of cases in the traditional courts continues to rise at an alarming rate.
He noted that the backlog increases by approximately 3,360 cases every year, leading to prolonged delays and frustration for persons seeking justice.
Hon. Shaibu Mahama said the committee considered the views of both sides before presenting its report to the House.
The Bill proposes a two-tier tribunal structure made up of Regional Tribunals and District Tribunals. Reports on the Bill indicate that Regional Tribunals are expected to have powers equivalent to the High Court in specified criminal matters, while District Tribunals would have powers equivalent to the Circuit Court in selected cases.
The proposed tribunals are expected to operate under the Judiciary, with decisions subject to appellate review. The Bill also provides for a Tribunal Oversight Committee, as well as rules on composition, jurisdiction and operations.
Supporters of the Bill say it will help promote quicker adjudication, reduce delays and create a more accessible justice system. Critics, however, maintain that the country must be cautious to ensure that the proposed tribunals do not undermine constitutional safeguards or create parallel structures that could weaken confidence in the Judiciary.
The Bill is expected to undergo further consideration as Parliament continues debate on its provisions.
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