Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged President John Dramani Mahama to withhold his assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026. Dr. Bawumia stated that opposition to the bill transcends political lines. He cited significant concerns raised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the unreleased report of the Constitution Review Committee.
Dr. Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate, emphasized that his appeal is a national one. He argued it is rooted in broad societal concerns, not just political challenges to the government. He made these remarks on Sunday, July 19, framing the debate around the integrity of Ghana's justice system.
This development fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and judicial system. Previous constitutional reforms have aimed at enhancing justice delivery and ensuring fairness. The current debate highlights the tension between legislative action and broader public and expert consensus.
Dr. Bawumia specifically anchored his argument on the position of the Trades Union Congress. The TUC, representing millions of Ghanaian workers, has publicly called for the withdrawal of the Tribunals Bill. "The Trades Union Congress, the voice of millions of Ghanaian workers, has called for the Bill to be withdrawn altogether, warning that in its current form it could become a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery," Dr. Bawumia stated.
He further argued that the TUC's warning reflects the views of ordinary Ghanaian workers. He said it should not be dismissed as politically motivated. Dr. Bawumia suggested that the government's response should be informed by independent national stakeholders. This approach, he noted, should take precedence over parliamentary numbers or political considerations.
Beyond the TUC's concerns, Dr. Bawumia questioned Parliament's decision to pass the bill before the Constitution Review Committee's report was published. President Mahama had constituted this committee to examine Ghana's constitutional framework. Its mandate was to recommend reforms for strengthening democratic institutions.
Dr. Bawumia recalled that the committee completed its work and submitted its report in December last year. Among its key recommendations was the proposal to remove Regional Tribunals from the 1992 Constitution. The committee argued that the High Court has effectively assumed the responsibilities once exercised by those tribunals.
"The Committee recommended removing Regional Tribunals from the Constitution because the High Court has long carried their caseload," he explained. Dr. Bawumia expressed concern that the report's findings remain unreleased to the public. He believes Parliament's swift action on the tribunal system, without public access to the committee's recommendations, undermines the government's own constitutional review process.
"Yet the report has not been published. Before the nation has even read it, Parliament has rushed through and legislated in the opposite direction," he observed. Dr. Bawumia urged President Mahama to publish the Constitution Review Committee's report before making any decision on the Tribunals Bill. "Mr President, publish the report first," he appealed, stressing the importance of transparency and public consultation in such critical legislative matters.