Dr Bawumia Argues Court Reforms Should Focus On Judges And Digitalisation Instead Of New Tribunals

Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for investment in Ghana’s existing court system instead of reintroducing tribunals, saying judicial reforms should prioritise more judges, additional courtrooms and digital technology.

Speaking in a national address following Parliament’s passage of the Tribunals Bill, 2026, Dr Bawumia said the country’s congested courts could be strengthened without creating what he described as “a second system of justice”.

“Our courts are congested, yes, but the answer to congested courts is to strengthen the courts - more judges, more courtrooms and digitised processes. It is not to build a second system of justice,” he said.

The Tribunals Bill was passed by Parliament last week after the lawmakers waived the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and third reading. The Minority opposed the move, while organised labour also criticised the legislation.

Dr Bawumia said Ghana’s history with public tribunals should be carefully considered before the country adopts a new tribunal system.

He expressed concern that, under the bill, tribunal panels could include members who are not legally trained but would still adjudicate criminal matters.

“Ghanaians remember tribunals and we remember what was done in their name,” he said.

Public tribunals were introduced during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era to hear criminal and other cases outside the conventional court system.

Over the years, many of their functions were transferred to the regular courts following constitutional and judicial reforms.

Dr Bawumia argued that the government should instead focus on improving the efficiency of the judiciary through investment in infrastructure, increased judicial capacity and expanded digital case management systems.

He also cautioned against using Parliament’s large majority to push through significant constitutional and legal reforms without broad public consensus.

“Not everything that can be passed should be passed,” he said, adding that history would judge laws by whether they were fair and protected the interests of Ghanaians rather than by the size of the parliamentary majority that approved them.

The former vice-president urged President John Mahama to delay assent to the bill and convene consultations involving the Ghana Bar Association, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties and the judiciary before deciding on its future.

The government has said the bill is intended to improve the administration of justice by establishing specialised tribunals to deal with specific categories of cases, although critics argue that further consultation is needed before such reforms are implemented.