The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has defended the government’s plan to restore Ghana’s tribunal system, saying the move is aimed at making justice more inclusive and reducing the heavy caseload confronting the country’s courts.

Presenting the Tribunals Bill, 2026 during its Second Reading in Parliament on Wednesday, Dr Ayine said the proposed tribunals are intended to work alongside the existing courts rather than replace them. He noted that the new system would improve access to justice while encouraging greater citizen involvement in judicial processes.

The Bill outlines the legal framework for establishing tribunals across the country, defining their powers, jurisdiction, composition and operational procedures. It also provides for the creation of a Tribunal Oversight Committee to monitor and regulate their activities.

According to the Attorney-General, opportunities for ordinary citizens to directly participate in the administration of justice are currently limited, apart from the jury system. The proposed tribunals, he explained, are designed to bridge that gap by incorporating qualified members of the public into the adjudication process.

Under the legislation, Regional Tribunals would be presided over by lawyers eligible for appointment to the High Court, while District Tribunals would be chaired by legal practitioners qualified to serve as Circuit Court judges. These chairpersons would sit with panel members selected from the public, reflecting a structure similar to the tribunal system that operated under the former PNDC Law 78.

Dr Ayine expressed confidence that the reforms would enhance the efficiency of Ghana’s justice system, improve public confidence in judicial proceedings and help clear the growing backlog of cases before the conventional courts.