Tribunals Bill passed into law despite widespread opposition, Bawumia’s plea

President John Mahama has signed into law the Tribunals Bill, 2026, despite considerable opposition from the Minority in Parliament, organized labor, and former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Bawumia had urged Mahama to "pause and let the nation talk" about the bill before assenting to it. The legislation reintroduces Regional and District Tribunals into Ghana's judicial system under Article 126 of the 1992 Constitution, creating a reformed tribunal system to coexist with traditional courts.

The bill was passed after Parliament passed it on July 16, 2026, with a heated debate in which the Minority walked out of the chamber, rejecting a proposal to delete Clause 4 that would establish Regional and District Tribunals. The Minority had raised concerns over the bill, arguing that it creates a parallel justice system without constitutional backing, questions the competence of non-lawyers on the tribunal panels, and fears it could be used to target individuals, drawing parallels to Ghana's past PNDC era.

Despite the opposition, the Bill has now become law, with the Minority warning that they may seek judicial intervention if President Mahama signs the legislation.