Parliament Passes Tribunals Bill, 2026 After Heated Debate; Awaits President Mahama’s Assent

Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, clearing the way for the reintroduction of tribunals under a new legal framework aimed at strengthening Ghana’s justice delivery system and expanding access to justice.

The Bill was approved on Thursday, July 16, after successfully passing its third reading in the House. It will now be forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama for assent before it becomes law.

The legislation seeks to operationalise Article 126 of the 1992 Constitution by re-establishing district and regional tribunals to function alongside the conventional courts. Government says the reforms are intended to improve access to justice, reduce case backlogs and enhance the efficiency of the judicial system while safeguarding due process and fundamental human rights.

Before the final vote, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, moved a motion for the House to waive the Standing Orders requiring a one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading of the Bill.

“May I move that, notwithstanding the provision in Order 172, sub-order 1 of the Standing Orders which requires that when a Bill has passed through the consideration stage, the third reading thereof shall not be taken until at least one sitting day has elapsed, the motion for the third reading of the Tribunals Bill, 2026 may be moved today. I so move, Mr Speaker,” he said.

With the motion approved, Parliament proceeded to the third reading and subsequently passed the Bill, completing its legislative consideration.

Dr. Ayine first introduced the Tribunals Bill earlier this year, describing it as a key judicial reform intended to improve access to justice, address delays in the court system and revive Ghana’s constitutional tribunal system with enhanced oversight and constitutional safeguards.

Prior to its passage, the Bill was referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for detailed scrutiny before being returned to the House for debate and approval.

The legislation generated spirited debate in Parliament, with the Minority opposing the creation of district and regional tribunals. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the proposed tribunals would create a parallel justice system and called for the deletion of the clause establishing them, insisting that resources should instead be invested in strengthening the existing courts.

Outside Parliament, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) also criticised the Bill, urging the government to suspend its passage until the Constitutional Review Committee’s report is published, warning that aspects of the legislation could expose the judiciary to political influence.

Despite the objections, the Bill secured parliamentary approval and now awaits presidential assent, after which the new tribunal system can be established under the revised legal framework.