By Zobia Zulfqar 
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on President John Dramani Mahama to hold broad national consultations before signing the Tribunals Bill, 2026, into law.
The former Vice President said reforms that affect Ghana’s justice system should not be decided by a parliamentary majority alone. Instead, he believes such changes should be based on national consensus and include input from key institutions and stakeholders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, July 19, Dr Bawumia said justice belongs to all Ghanaians and should not become the subject of partisan decisions. He argued that any law that changes the structure of the country’s judicial system should reflect the views of a wide range of citizens and professional groups.
His comments come after Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, last week. The bill seeks to reintroduce Regional Tribunals into Ghana’s judicial system. It now awaits presidential assent before it can become law.
Dr Bawumia joined organised labour and several civil society organisations in calling for further consultations before the President signs the bill. He appealed to President Mahama to bring together the Ghana Bar Association, lawyers’ associations, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties, and members of the Judiciary for discussions on the proposed law.
According to him, institutions that will work directly with the new legal framework should have an opportunity to contribute to the final decision.
“We will come in good faith,” Dr Bawumia said, adding that the Judiciary must be consulted because it will be responsible for implementing whatever Parliament approves.
He explained that reforms to the justice system should strengthen public confidence rather than create division. In his view, national dialogue would help build trust and ensure that the final law serves the interests of all Ghanaians.
The Tribunals Bill was passed after Parliament completed all the required stages of debate. During the process, the Minority raised objections to parts of the bill, but those concerns were voted down by the Majority.
Parliament also waived the mandatory one day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading of the bill. This allowed lawmakers to complete the legislative process and pass the bill on the same day.
The speed with which the bill was passed has attracted criticism from some groups, who believe more time should have been given for wider public discussions.
Organised labour, led by the Trades Union Congress, has also called for the bill to be withdrawn. Labour leaders argue that the proposed law could create concerns about the independence of the justice system if broader consultations are not held before it becomes law.
Some civil society organisations have echoed similar concerns, saying changes to the country’s judicial structure require careful examination because they could have long term effects on the administration of justice.
Supporters of the bill, however, believe the reintroduction of Regional Tribunals will strengthen the country’s legal system by improving access to justice and helping courts deal with cases more efficiently.
The government has maintained that the legislative process followed constitutional procedures and that Parliament had the authority to approve the bill after debate.
Despite the differing views, Dr Bawumia stressed that his appeal was not about politics but about protecting public confidence in the country’s justice system. He said laws that reshape major national institutions should be based on agreement across political parties and professional bodies rather than simple parliamentary numbers.
He urged the President to use the opportunity to promote dialogue and national unity by inviting all interested groups to participate in consultations before making a final decision.
The Tribunals Bill now remains before President Mahama, who will decide whether to sign it into law or take further action. His decision is expected to attract significant public attention, as legal experts, political parties, labour groups, and civil society organisations continue to debate the future of the proposed legislation.
The outcome could shape the next phase of Ghana’s judicial reforms and influence how future changes to key national institutions are handled through consultation and public engagement.
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