Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President, is urging President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the Public Tribunals Bill, 2026, recently passed by Parliament.
Bawumia is arguing that the legislation, considering how significant it is, should undergo a broad national consultation with key stakeholders before becoming a law.
According to him, people with direct interest in the country’s justice system should not be ignored in passing such a legislation.
Dr. Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), addressing the nation on Sunday, July 19, 2026, indicated laws that have far-reaching implications for the country’s judicial architecture must be shaped through consensus rather than relying solely on parliamentary numbers.
“The bill will soon be transmitted to the president for his assent, and I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr. President, do not assent to this bill. Pause and let the nation ponder and deliberate on this very important matter, he indicated.
He believes the concerns being raised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and others should be considered to avoid using the law as a tool to weaponise justice delivery.
“This is not a partisan request. The Trades Union Congress and the voice of millions of Ghanaian workers have called for the bill to be withdrawn, warning that in its current form, it could become a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery.”
He maintained that involving relevant professional bodies, civil society organisations, labour groups and political parties would help build public confidence in the legislation and ensure reforms that reflect the collective interests of Ghanaians.
Dr. Bawumia stressed that the judiciary is a vital pillar of Ghana’s democracy and that any attempt to alter the framework within which justice is administered should be approached with caution, openness and inclusivity.
He therefore urged President Mahama to initiate a comprehensive national dialogue before taking any further steps on the bill.
“Those are the words of Ghanaian workers, not of any political party. Consider also the government’s own process. The president established the Constitution Review Committee and it recommended removing regional tribunals from the constitution because the High Court has long carried their case loads.”
“My call is simple and constructive, withhold your assent. Convene genuine national engagement. Invite the Ghana Bar Association and other lawyer groups, Organised Labour, CSOs and the political parties including my own and we will come in good faith and consult the judiciary itself.
“Justice belongs to no government and no party, it belongs to the Ghanaian people and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus and not a headcount.
“Mr. President, the pen is in your handy, use it not to assent to this bill but write an invitation to the nation.”
