Professor Kwame Gyan of the University of Ghana’s Law School has expressed opposition to the reintroduction of all tribunals across Ghana, a proposal made by Dr. Dominic Ayine, the incoming Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice.
Speaking in response to Dr. Ayine’s remarks during his recent vetting before Parliament, Prof. Gyan argued that existing courts are sufficient to handle the functions of tribunals. “If I were the Attorney General, I would not bring back the district, community, or circuit tribunals,” he stated.
Explaining his position, Prof. Gyan cited the historical challenges associated with tribunals, particularly the district and community tribunals, which he believes carried significant baggage. However, he acknowledged the constitutional basis for maintaining regional tribunals, which were not abolished when the NPP government amended the law in 2002 to eliminate the lower tribunals.
“I see no need to reintroduce the lower tribunals as proposed by the incoming AG,” he added, emphasizing the sufficiency of the current judicial framework.
Shamima Muslim, a communications member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), also weighed in, reassuring the public that the reintroduction of tribunals does not signal a return to the military regime of the PNDC era.
She clarified, “There is no reason to fear that reactivating an existing constitutional body will lead to the re-establishment of military rule.”
Ghana’s tribunal system, originally introduced under PNDC leadership, served as specialized courts handling cases outside the jurisdiction of ordinary courts, including administrative and criminal matters.
