Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill 2026 following its third reading in the house.
The bill was laid by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine in June this year.
It was subsequently referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for detailed scrutiny and consideration before being returned to the House for debate.
At the time of laying the bill, the Attorney General explained that the legislation was intended to improve access to justice and reduce the backlog of cases in the courts, adding that Article 142 of the Constitution integrates regional tribunals into the judicial structure.
But critics argued that the move was not in the best interest of the country, with groups like the Trades Union Congress (TUC) calling for its immediate withdrawal.
During the third and final reading of the bill, the minority raised questions about its contents and called for the deletion of clause 4. But that assertion was opposed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who said the bill would be passed regardless of how long the House sat to consider the clauses.
After a voice vote, the minority boycotted the remaining proceedings on the consideration of the bill, saying it will not be part of a decision that creates an analogous system.
The House subsequently passed the bill, marking a key step in the government’s efforts to reintroduce tribunals under a strengthened legal framework.
The legislation must now be transmitted to President John Dramani Mahama for assent before it can become law.
