The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has indicated that a future New Patriotic Party (NPP) government could dismantle the regional tribunals being established under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the NPP does not support the creation of a parallel tribunal system and would instead prioritise strengthening Ghana’s existing courts to improve justice delivery.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Effutu Member of Parliament said the party’s position on the matter was clear.
“The NPP’s position is very clear. We don’t need these regional tribunals.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the focus should rather be on investing in the existing judicial infrastructure, including the retooling of courts, training judges and appointing persons with the requisite integrity to administer justice.
He warned that any arrangement that disrupts Ghana’s current judicial structure would have to be removed under a future NPP administration.
“Anything that will disturb the existing judicial infrastructure would have to go,” he said.
Although he did not expressly state that the Tribunals Bill would be repealed, his comments suggest that an NPP government could review or reverse the framework if the party returns to power.
Executive and parliamentary support needed
Mr Afenyo-Markin, however, acknowledged that any major change to the tribunals system would require both executive action and legislative backing.
He said a future government would need to combine its executive authority with sufficient parliamentary support to implement significant reforms to the country’s justice system.
“You need executive powers to support your legislative powers in Parliament to effect major reforms, transformations and changes,” he stated.
Minority opposition to Tribunals Bill
The comments come after Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, on July 17, despite strong opposition from the Minority.
The Minority, led by Mr Afenyo-Markin, had earlier walked out of Parliament during proceedings on the legislation and has argued that the proposed tribunal system could undermine due process and fair trial guarantees.
The government, on the other hand, has defended the legislation, arguing that the tribunals are intended to speed up the administration of justice, reduce delays and help clear the growing backlog of cases before the courts.
The Tribunals Bill is currently awaiting transmission to President Mahama for assent before it can become law.
