Ghana: Withhold Assent to Tribunals Bill - Dr Bawumia Appeals to Pres Mahama

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a Ghanaian Times report from Accra dated 21 July 2026, says former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026. Bawumia, who is also the opposition New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, made the appeal in a live television address, arguing that the bill should be paused for broader national consultation before any final presidential decision.

According to the report, Bawumia warned that the proposed law could significantly change Ghana’s justice system and risk weakening public trust in the courts. He criticised the parliamentary process, saying the required one-day gap between the Consideration Stage and Third Reading was waived so the bill could pass the same day, despite concerns from the Minority and organised labour. He also cited the Trades Union Congress’ opposition to the bill, including fears it could be used to politicise justice delivery.

Bawumia further questioned why the government moved ahead before releasing the Constitution Review Committee’s report. He said that report had recommended removing Regional Tribunals from the 1992 Constitution because their jurisdiction had effectively been taken over by the High Court. In his view, court congestion should be addressed by adding judges, expanding court facilities and speeding up digitisation, rather than creating what he described as a parallel system.

The former vice president called for the committee report to be published and for consultations with legal bodies, labour groups, civil society, political parties and the Judiciary. The issue matters because the bill, as described in the report, touches on Ghana’s judicial structure, criminal adjudication and the balance between legislative majorities and public consensus in lawmaking.