The Minority in Parliament has expressed opposition to the government’s move to reintroduce tribunal courts, cautioning that the system could be abused for political purposes if not carefully managed.
Speaking during debate on the Tribunals Bill, 2026, on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, argued that Ghana’s existing judicial system has the capacity to deliver justice if adequately resourced and strengthened.
Mr Jinapor questioned the need to establish a parallel tribunal structure, insisting that the focus should instead be on improving the efficiency, independence and capacity of the conventional courts.
He raised concerns over Ghana’s political history, warning that tribunals could become vulnerable to misuse and potentially undermine public confidence in the justice system.
According to him, challenges such as delays in case resolution and backlog within the courts should be addressed through reforms and increased investment in the existing judiciary rather than the creation of new institutions.
The Tribunals Bill, 2026, seeks to provide a legal framework for establishing and regulating tribunals to complement Ghana’s court system.
Government proponents of the bill argue that tribunals will enhance access to justice, encourage broader public participation in legal processes and help reduce delays in the determination of cases.
However, the Minority maintains that strengthening existing judicial structures remains the more effective approach and has indicated its intention to resist the passage of the bill in its current form.
