Dr Bawumia Cautions President Mahama Against Signing Tribunals Bill

Former Vice-President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Mahama to withhold assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, arguing that the legislation requires broader national consultation before it becomes law.

In a public address, Dr Bawumia said the bill, which was passed by Parliament last week, could fundamentally reshape Ghana’s justice delivery system and affect public confidence in the judiciary.

He said Parliament waived the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and third reading to pass the bill on the same day, despite objections from the Minority and organised labour.

“The pen is in your hand. Use it not to assent to this bill, but write an invitation to the nation,” he said, urging President Mahama to initiate wider consultations through the Council of State in line with Articles 90 and 106 of the 1992 Constitution.

The Tribunals Bill seeks to reintroduce tribunals into Ghana’s judicial system. According to the government, the measure is intended to improve access to justice and reduce delays in the courts by creating specialised tribunals to hear certain categories of cases.

However, the bill has generated debate among legal practitioners, labour unions and civil society groups over its structure and potential impact on judicial independence.

Dr Bawumia said the Trades Union Congress (TUC) had publicly called for the bill to be withdrawn, warning that in its current form it could become “a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery”.

He argued that concerns raised by organised labour should not be dismissed because they reflected the views of millions of Ghanaian workers rather than a political party.

The former vice-president also questioned the timing of the legislation, noting that the Constitution Review Committee appointed by President Mahama reportedly recommended removing regional tribunals from the Constitution because the High Court already performs their functions.

He said the committee’s report had not yet been published, making it premature for Parliament to legislate on the matter.

“Publish the report first,” he said.

Dr Bawumia called for a national dialogue involving the Ghana Bar Association, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties and the judiciary before any final decision is taken on the bill.

He said reforms aimed at improving justice delivery should be based on broad consensus rather than Parliament’s numerical majority.

“Justice belongs to no government and no party. It belongs to the Ghanaian people,” he said.

The bill is expected to be presented to President Mahama for assent in the coming days.