Bawumia Urges President Mahama to Withhold Assent to Tribunals Bill

New Patriotic Party flagbearer Mahamudu Bawumia has repeatedly called on President John Dramani Mahama to withhold his assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026. The legislation, passed by Parliament on July 16, aims to re-establish a modernized public tribunal system to reduce court backlogs and expedite justice. Bawumia argues the bill could create a parallel judiciary and become a "potent tool for weaponising justice delivery," specifically citing concerns over provisions that allow non-lawyers to hear criminal matters.

Bawumia criticized the legislative process, noting that Parliament waived the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading to accelerate passage. He highlighted that the bill contradicts recommendations from the H. Kwasi Prempeh Constitutional Review Committee, which advised abolishing regional tribunals. This position is shared by the Trades Union Congress, which has called for the bill's withdrawal.

To resolve the impasse, Bawumia urged the president to publish the Constitutional Review Committee's report and convene a national dialogue. He proposed that this engagement include the Ghana Bar Association, organized labor, civil society, the Judiciary, and various political parties before the bill is signed into law.