The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has introduced the Tribunals Bill, 2026 in Parliament, proposing the re-establishment of public tribunals as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s justice system.
The bill, which has completed its first reading, has been referred to the appropriate parliamentary committee for further scrutiny before lawmakers debate its merits.
According to the Attorney-General, the proposed legislation aims to improve access to justice, reduce pressure on the country’s courts and speed up the resolution of specific categories of cases.
Bill Seeks to Restore Public Tribunals
The proposed Tribunals Bill would reintroduce Regional Tribunals and District Tribunals, institutions provided for under Ghana’s Constitution but no longer operating within the judicial system.
If approved by Parliament, the tribunals would function alongside the existing courts while remaining under the supervision of the judiciary.
Government says the proposal is intended to enhance the administration of justice rather than replace the country’s conventional court system.
Under the bill, Regional Tribunals would hear cases involving economic crimes, tax-related offences, illegal mining activities, narcotics offences and the theft or misuse of public property.
Meanwhile, District Tribunals would handle less serious criminal matters assigned under the proposed legal framework.
The Attorney-General has said the tribunals would operate within constitutional safeguards and remain subject to judicial oversight to protect the rights of accused persons.
Presenting the bill, Dr. Ayine said the proposal forms part of broader judicial reforms aimed at making Ghana’s justice system more efficient.
He argued that introducing specialised tribunals could help reduce case backlogs and ensure quicker adjudication of certain offences. Government believes the reforms could improve public confidence in the justice system while enabling courts to focus on other complex civil and criminal matters.
Bill Heads to Parliamentary Committee
Following its first reading, the Tribunals Bill has been referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for detailed examination.
The committee is expected to review the provisions of the bill, receive submissions where necessary and present its recommendations before Parliament proceeds to the next stages of the legislative process.
Lawmakers will have the opportunity to debate the proposal and consider possible amendments before any final vote is taken. The move to revive public tribunals is expected to attract significant public and legal discussion.
Supporters argue that specialised tribunals could improve efficiency and accelerate justice delivery, particularly in cases involving economic and organised crime.
Others are expected to examine issues relating to jurisdiction, safeguards for fair trial rights and the relationship between the proposed tribunals and the existing court system.
For now, the bill remains under parliamentary consideration, with its future dependent on debate and approval by lawmakers.
