Attorney-General lays Tribunal Bill to revive public tribunals
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has laid the Tribunal Bill, 2026 before Parliament, seeking to reintroduce tribunals as part of Ghana’s justice delivery system.
The proposed legislation, which has received its first reading, seeks to establish Regional and District Tribunals to complement the existing court system. The Bill has been referred to Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further scrutiny. The Attorney-General has already engaged the joint committee on the proposed reforms.
Purpose of the Tribunal Bill
The Tribunal Bill, 2026 seeks to establish the legal framework for the creation, jurisdiction, composition and operations of tribunals in accordance with the Constitution. It also proposes the establishment of a Tribunal Oversight Committee to supervise the new system.
The legislation is intended to revive the tribunal structure provided for under Article 126 of the Constitution, which has remained inactive for years.
Why Government Wants Tribunals Back
According to the explanatory memorandum accompanying the Bill, the absence of functioning tribunals has created a gap in Ghana’s judicial system despite constitutional provisions for their existence. Government believes the reintroduction of tribunals will improve access to justice, reduce the growing backlog of cases before the conventional courts and allow greater public participation in the administration of justice through public and customary tribunals. The proposal also aims to facilitate the faster and more specialised handling of cases that require technical expertise or expedited adjudication.
Proposed Tribunal Structure
The Bill proposes a reformed tribunal system that will operate under the Judiciary with strong safeguards for due process, human rights and judicial independence. It introduces a two-tier tribunal structure comprising:
Regional Tribunals
District Tribunals
Administration of the system will be undertaken by the Judicial Council in consultation with the proposed Tribunal Oversight Committee. The Bill also provides detailed rules governing the appointment, conduct, discipline, retirement and removal of tribunal members. Decisions delivered by tribunals will be subject to appeal, ensuring compliance with constitutional safeguards.
Jurisdiction of Regional Tribunals
Under the Bill, Regional Tribunals will exercise powers equivalent to those of the High Court in specified criminal matters. Their jurisdiction will include offences under laws such as the Criminal Offences Act, the Narcotics Control Commission Act, the Income Tax Act, the Customs Act and the Minerals and Mining Act. They will also hear cases involving economic fraud, loss of state funds or property, and other offences against the state or public interest that Parliament may prescribe.
Jurisdiction of District Tribunals
District Tribunals will exercise powers similar to those of the Circuit Court in specified criminal matters. However, they will not have jurisdiction over treason, indictable offences or capital offences, which will remain within the jurisdiction of the existing courts.
Matters Excluded from Tribunal Jurisdiction
The Bill specifically excludes several categories of cases from the jurisdiction of the proposed tribunals. These include constitutional interpretation matters under Article 130, cases involving alleged human rights violations, and any other matters that Parliament may expressly exclude by law.
Parliamentary Consideration Begins
The Tribunal Bill, 2026 is currently before the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for detailed consideration. If approved by Parliament, the legislation will mark a significant reform of Ghana’s justice system by re-establishing tribunals as part of the country’s judicial architecture while introducing safeguards aimed at ensuring fairness, accountability and respect for constitutional rights.
