In Parliament, the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine moved the consideration stage of the Tribunal Bill and urged the House to approve the proposed legislation as part of reforms within the justice system. The Minority Caucus rejected the consideration of the bill, arguing that the proposal could reverse democratic gains and revive a system Ghana has deliberately moved away from.
The Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Honourable Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana has argued that the proposed tribunal system belongs to a period in Ghana’s political history that should remain in the past. Honourable Sulemana stated that the Minority could not support legislation that, in his view, might reopen painful memories associated with earlier military governments.
According to Honourable Sulemana, the tribunal system was never formally abolished because it gradually disappeared as democratic governance became stronger. The MP added that successive administrations have instead focused on strengthening the existing judicial system through constitutional institutions.
“The tribunal system belongs to our history. Our democracy has matured and we should advance it by strengthening the courts instead of returning to structures that many Ghanaians left behind.”
Honourable Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
Furthermore, Honourable Sulemana recounted the existence of Committees for the Defence of the Revolution, Workers’ Defence Committees and People’s Defence Committees during previous military administrations. He argued that experiences from those periods demonstrated why Ghana embraced constitutional democracy.
From his perspective, many citizens who experienced those years still associate tribunals with painful memories. The Gushegu MP therefore urged Parliament to avoid adopting measures that could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
Additionally, Honourable Sulemana praised reforms introduced under the administrations of President John Agyekum Kufuor, President John Evans Atta Mills and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. He explained that the governments expanded court infrastructure, recruited more judges and strengthened the administration of justice instead of reviving tribunals.
The MP added that increasing the number of courts and judicial officers remains the most effective response to case backlogs. He argued that investing in existing institutions would produce lasting improvements for the justice system.
Constitutional Review Must Guide Tribunal Debate In Parliament
The Member of Parliament for Gushegu emphasised that recommendations from constitutional review processes should inform Parliament’s decisions on the future of tribunals. Honourable Sulemana argued that the country has invested time and public resources into constitutional reform exercises and should respect their findings.
According to the Gushegu MP, the Professor H. K. B. Prempeh Constitutional Review Committee recommended the removal of tribunal provisions from the Constitution and called for broader public engagement on the matter. He said Parliament should allow Ghanaians to decide the direction of such an important constitutional question.
“The recommendation was that it should be removed and Ghanaians should decide whether it should continue or not. We cannot invest public resources in constitutional reviews and ignore the outcomes.”
Honourable Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
Furthermore, Honourable Sulemana explained that the transitional provisions of the Constitution transferred the functions of the Tribunal Board to the Judicial Council. The MP argued that this arrangement demonstrates that the Judicial Council already has the capacity to perform the responsibilities that the proposed tribunals seek to exercise.
From his perspective, any challenges facing the justice system should be addressed through additional investment in the judiciary. He said expanding court infrastructure and increasing support for judges and state attorneys would improve efficiency without creating parallel structures.
Additionally, the Gushegu MP argued that there has been no indication from the Judiciary or the Chief Justice that the courts lack the capacity to handle existing responsibilities. He suggested that strengthening existing institutions would promote confidence in the justice system.
“Let us strengthen the existing administrative structures for the justice system and not replicate and duplicate functions that are already being performed.”
Honourable Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana
Honourable Sulemana also referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor established under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to illustrate how institutions can eventually affect people across political divides. He stated that public institutions should be designed to serve the national interest instead of immediate political objectives.
In addition, the MP cited findings from Afrobarometer showing that some Ghanaians have reservations about the justice system and Parliament. He argued that such findings should encourage institutional reforms and improved public service rather than the creation of additional adjudicatory bodies.
The Gushegu MP further questioned proposed timelines for the disposal of cases under the tribunal framework. He explained that complex legal matters often involve multiple processes that require adequate time to ensure fairness and proper adjudication.
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