Parliament of Ghana has taken the Tribunal Bill, 2026 through the Seconding Reading on Wednesday,8th July 2026 subjecting the Bill to intensive debate on the floor with Members of NPP opposing it.
According to the Minority, the Bill when passed will be used to intimidate fellow citizens which will serve as a painful reminder of previous regimes prior to the fourth republic.
However, the Majority side defended the report by extension supporting the passage of the Bill describing it a constitutional obligation.
The object of the Bill contained in the report of the joint Committee on Constitutional and Legal, and Judiciary chaired by Shaibu Mahama is to provide for the establishment, jurisdiction, composition and operation of tribunals in accordance with the Constitution and to establish the Tribunal Oversight Committee.
The Bill consists of 59 clauses and a Schedule.
Rational:
The Committee observed that the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment, jurisdiction, composition, and operation of Regional and District Tribunals in the country.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice explained that the establishment of the tribunals has become necessary in order to address the backlog of cases in the traditional courts and to promote access to justice.
The Minister indicated that the backlog of cases in the traditional courts continues to increase by approximately 3,360 cases annually, resulting in delays and prolonged adjudication.
The establishment of the tribunals would help reduce this burden and ensure the expeditious disposal of cases.
The Minister further indicated that Article 142 of the 1992 Constitution integrates Regional Tribunals into the judicial structure.
However, Regional Tribunals have become defunct in practice. The Bill therefore seeks to address this lacuna in the legal framework governing tribunals. The Committee was informed that the Bill establishes a modern legal framework for the operation of tribunals in Ghana that reflects the values of constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
It provides a clear legal basis for the establishment and operation of tribunals by defining their jurisdiction, structure, and procedures in accordance with the Constitution. The Bill is also intended to strengthen access to justice, protect the rights of citizens, promote due process and improve the efficient administration of justice, particularly matters requiring specialized or expeditious determination.
The Minister submitted that, if passed, the tribunals would complement the work of the traditional courts by working alongside them to ensure the effective and efficient administration of justice.
Background
Tribunals Bill, 2026, was presented to Parliament by the Hon Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah on behalf of the Hon Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Member for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, in accordance with Article 106(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 163 of the House and read the first time on Friday, 26″ June, 2026.
The Hon Speaker subsequently referred the Bill to the Joint Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Judiciary for consideration and report in accordance with Article 106(4) of the 1992 Constitution and Orders 165, 238 and 256 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The Joint Committee met with the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and a technical team from the Office of the Attorney-General to consider the Bill. The Committee expresses its profound gratitude to the Minister and his team for attending upon the Committee to provide clarification on the Bill.
