Gov't introduces Bill to restore tribunals to Ghana's justice system

The government has introduced legislation in Parliament seeking to re-establish tribunals as part of Ghana's justice system, in what could mark the return of Regional and District Tribunals if the Bill is approved.

The Dominic Akuritinga Ayine on Monday laid the Tribunal Bill, 2026 before Parliament, proposing a two-tier tribunal system to complement the country's existing courts.

The Bill has undergone its first reading and has been referred to Parliament's Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further scrutiny.

According to the Attorney-General, the legislation seeks to revive tribunals provided for under Article 126 of the 1992 Constitution, which have become defunct, leaving that aspect of the judicial system inoperative.

Faster justice and reduced case backlog

The explanatory memorandum says the proposed law is intended to improve access to justice, reduce delays in the courts and provide a faster mechanism for handling specialised criminal cases.

It also seeks to encourage greater public participation in the administration of justice, in line with constitutional provisions allowing citizen involvement through public and customary tribunals.

Under the proposal, the tribunal system would operate within the Judiciary and be administered by the Judicial Council, working alongside a newly created Tribunal Oversight Committee.

The Bill also sets out rules governing the appointment, discipline, retirement and removal of tribunal members, while ensuring that tribunal decisions remain subject to appeal.

Powers of the proposed tribunals

If passed, Regional Tribunals would exercise powers equivalent to those of the High Court in specified criminal matters, while District Tribunals would have jurisdiction similar to that of Circuit Courts in certain criminal cases.

Regional Tribunals would hear offences relating to economic crime, narcotics, customs, taxation, mining, financial losses to the state and other offences against the public interest as prescribed by Parliament.

District Tribunals would deal with criminal matters within the jurisdiction of Circuit Courts but would not hear cases involving treason, capital offences or other indictable offences reserved for higher courts.

Excluded cases

The proposed legislation excludes cases involving constitutional interpretation, human rights enforcement and any other matters specifically barred by law.

The Tribunal Bill, 2026, is now before Parliament's committees for consideration before it returns to the House for debate and possible passage.