The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine has laid the Tribunal Bill 2026 in Parliament. The Bill when it becomes Law will introduce Public Tribunals as a complement to the traditional courts in the administration of justice.
Here are the highlights of the Bill as proposed to Parliament;
OBJECT OF THE BILL
The object of the Bill is to provide for the establishment, jurisdiction, composition and operation of Tribunals in accordance with the Constitution and to establish the Tribunal Oversight Committee.
WHY THE NEED FOR TRIBUNALS
Address a legal lacuna:
While the Constitution provides for Tribunals as part of our Judiciary under article 126, Tribunals have become defunct in Ghana rendering that part of the Constitution inoperative. The Bill seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals and provide a clear constitutional and statutory basis
Promote access to justice and reduce backlog:
Revitalising tribunals will serve as a means of promoting access to justice and help reduce the backlog of cases in traditional courts
Enable citizen participation: The Constitution provides for citizens to “exercise popular participation in the administration of justice through… public and customary tribunals”. Tribunals provide an opportunity for lay persons to play a part in justice delivery
Ensure specialised and expeditious adjudication:
To ensure the effective and efficient administration of justice, particularly in cases which require specialised adjudication or expeditious resolution.
KEY PROPOSALS OF THE BILL
The overarching aim of the proposals in the Bill is to give Tribunals a clear statutory basis within Ghana’s present democratic system and to establish a reformed Tribunal system that addresses the historical stigma associated with Public Tribunals. Under this reformed Tribunal system, emphasized is placed on due process and the protection of fundamental human rights in its operation.
•Two-tier tribunal structure: Establish Regional Tribunals and District Tribunals as part of the Judiciary
•Governance & Oversight:
Administration by Judicial Council in consultation with a new proposed Tribunal Oversight Committee. Code of conduct, disciplinary rules, and clear provisions for appointment, retirement and removal of members
•Constitutional alignment: Tribunals to function as part of the Judicial system, with decisions subject to appellate review.
•Guiding principles: Adjudication must observe fairness, transparency, efficiency, respect for fundamental human rights, independence, and due process
•Powers
Regional Tribunal to have powers of the High Court. District Tribunal to have powers of the Circuit Court, both in clearly prescribed criminal matters.
PROPOSED JURISDICTIONS OF THE TRIBUNALS
The Bill provides for Regional Tribunals and District Tribunals.
Regional Tribunals:
Concurrent original jurisdiction with the High Court in the following specific criminal matters;
•Offences under Chapter Four of Part 3 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29,
•Offences arising under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896), the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891) and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
•Offences which involve economic fraud or loss of State funds or property
•Offences against the State and public interest as Parliament is empowered to prescribe by law.
District Tribunal:
Concurrent original jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in criminal matters with the exclusion of the following; treason, offences triable on indictment, and capital punishment offenses
Matters EXCLUDED from any Tribunal:
•Constitutional disputes requiring interpretation under Article 130
•Cases involving violation of human rights
•Any matter expressly excluded by law
STAGE OF THE BILL
The Bill has been given its first reading and referred to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Judiciary Commitees of Parliament for consideration. Last week, the Attorney General met the joint Committee to deliberate over the Bill.
