By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, July 17, GNA – Parliament on Friday passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, paving the way for the reintroduction of a tribunal system under a revised legal framework, aimed at strengthening the administration of justice.
The Bill went through its third reading and received approval from lawmakers (the Majority Caucus) during proceedings on Friday at dawn.
It will now be transmitted to President John Dramani Mahama for assent before becoming a law.
Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister for justice moved for the Bill to be read for the third time, seeking Mr Bernard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker’s permission to waive the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading.
“Mr Speaker, may I move that, notwithstanding the provision in Order 172, sub-order 1 of the Standing Orders… the motion for the third reading of the Tribunals Bill, 2026 may be moved today. I so move, Mr Speaker,” Dr Ayine said.
Following the waiver, the House proceeded with the third reading and subsequently approved the Bill, completing the parliamentary process required before presidential assent.
Dr Ayine, who introduced the Bill earlier this year, said the proposed law was intended to enhance access to justice, address delays in the court system, and restore tribunals with “appropriate constitutional safeguards.”
The Bill was referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for detailed review, before it was brought back to the House for consideration.
However, the passage did not come without resistance as the New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus staged a walkout, arguing that the Bill sought to create a “parallel system” unknown to the Constitution and warned that it could become a “form of kangaroo court.”
The Caucus cited concerns over Clause 4, which allowed non-lawyers to sit on panels adjudicating criminal matters, and drew parallels to abuses associated with tribunals during the Provisional National Defense Council era.
Organised Labour has also publicly opposed the reintroduction of tribunals.
Notwithstanding the opposition, the Majority Caucus maintained that the new framework included safeguards and was necessary to decongest the courts and expedite justice for delivery.
With parliamentary approval secured, the Tribunals Bill, 2026 now awaits the President’s assent to become law.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
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