The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026, arguing that the legislation is flawed and could have serious implications for Ghana’s justice system.
According to the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, the President has an opportunity to protect his legacy by refusing to sign the bill into law.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi disclosed that the Minority would soon issue a statement highlighting what it describes as the shortcomings of the legislation before formally appealing to the President.
“We would come out with a press release telling Ghanaians the wrong things in the bill. And then we would also ask President Mahama, whom we all think should leave a good legacy, not to sign this bill because it’s no good for Ghana,” he said.
The Minority maintains that the legislation seeks to revive a tribunal system that many Ghanaians associate with alleged abuses during the AFRC and PNDC eras.
Mr. Anyimadu-Antwi argued that the reasons advanced by the government for introducing the bill, including reducing court case backlogs and addressing illegal mining-related offences, do not justify the establishment of a new tribunal system.
He further stated that the Chief Justice already has the constitutional authority to establish specialised courts to handle specific categories of cases, making the proposed tribunals unnecessary.
The Asante Akim Central MP also expressed concern over provisions relating to the composition of tribunal panels, claiming that educational qualification requirements for some members were weakened during Parliament’s consideration of the bill.
He further argued that certain provisions of the legislation are unconstitutional and warned that if President Mahama assents to the bill despite the Minority’s objections, the caucus would consider challenging the law in court.
Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, despite strong opposition from the Minority, which argued that the legislation could create confusion within Ghana’s judicial system.
However, the Majority has defended the bill, insisting that it provides a stronger legal framework for the administration of justice while addressing concerns raised during the legislative process.
