Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to delay assenting to the bill seeking to reintroduce tribunals into Ghana’s judicial system, arguing that the legislation could have far-reaching implications for justice delivery, public confidence in the judiciary and the country’s democratic future.

Dr Bawumia, who is also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made the appeal in a video statement following Parliament’s passage of the Public Tribunal Bill, 2026.

“I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr President, do not sign this bill. Pause, and let the nation talk. This is not a partisan request,” he said.

He cited concerns raised by organised labour, particularly the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which has called for the withdrawal of the bill and warned that its current form could be used to undermine fair justice delivery.

“The TUC, the voice of millions of Ghanaian workers, has called for the bill to be withdrawn altogether, warning that, in its current form, it could become a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery. Those are the words of Ghanaian workers, not of any political party,” Dr Bawumia stated.

He urged President Mahama to initiate a broad national consultation involving the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), other legal associations, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties, including the NPP, and representatives of the Judiciary before taking a decision on the bill.

Dr Bawumia also called on the President to consider the recommendations of the government’s own Constitution Review Committee, which he said proposed the removal of regional tribunals from the Constitution because their functions had largely been absorbed by the High Court.

According to him, the report of the committee has not yet been made public, yet Parliament has proceeded to pass legislation that moves in the opposite direction.

“I urge President Mahama to first publish the report of the Constitution Review Committee,” he said.

The former Vice-President further argued that the solution to delays in Ghana’s justice system was not the creation of a parallel structure but rather strengthening existing courts through increased investment.

“Our courts are congested, yes; but the answer to congested courts is to strengthen the courts: more judges, more courtrooms and digitised processes. It is not to build a second system of justice beside the one the Constitution already gives us,” he stressed.

Dr Bawumia expressed concern over provisions that could allow panels comprising non-lawyers to adjudicate criminal matters, referencing Ghana’s historical experience with tribunals.

“Ghanaians remember tribunals, and we remember what was done in their name,” he said.

He acknowledged that the government’s strong parliamentary majority gives it the ability to pass legislation but cautioned that political numbers should be balanced with restraint and national interest.

“The larger the majority, the greater the duty of restraint. History would not ask how many votes a law received. It would ask whether the law reflected the best desires of a broad section of Ghanaian society,” he added.

Dr Bawumia maintained that justice should remain above partisan interests and urged President Mahama to use his authority to facilitate further engagement rather than approve the bill immediately.

“Justice belongs to no government and no party. It belongs to the Ghanaian people, and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus, not on a headcount,” he stated.

He further encouraged the President to use the Council of State as a platform for broader consultation in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.

Parliament last week passed the Public Tribunal Bill, 2026, after lawmakers waived the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading to allow the legislation to be passed on the same day.

The Minority’s objections were rejected during the process, while organised labour publicly opposed the bill. The legislation is now awaiting transmission to President Mahama for his assent.