Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, Haruna Maiga, has pledged to resist the implementation of the Tribunals Bill if President John Dramani Mahama assents to it, insisting the legislation is designed to persecute political opponents rather than strengthen Ghana’s justice system.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, July 20, Maiga described the Bill as unnecessary and accused the government of prioritising a manifesto promise over reforms that would strengthen Ghana’s democratic institutions.
According to him, the country already has an established judicial system capable of dispensing justice, insisting that the creation of tribunals under the proposed law raises concerns about the government’s intentions.
“It is very clear that they are trying to bypass the traditional court system and find a way to persecute political opponents. That is all this thing is about,” he said.
Maiga argued that rather than introducing a new layer to the justice system, the government should focus on measures that improve access to justice through the existing courts, noting that previous governments expanded the number of courts to enhance judicial services.
He further maintained that the NPP would oppose the enforcement of what he described as “draconian legislation” if the President proceeds to sign the Bill into law.
“The President can choose to go ahead and assent to it, but its implementation will be resisted. We will resist the implementation of draconian legislation that has no bearing on improving our democratic development,” he stated.
His comments come after Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, following its third reading. The legislation seeks to reintroduce tribunals under a revised legal framework aimed at strengthening the administration of justice and improving access to legal remedies.
Meanwhile, NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also appealed to President Mahama to withhold assent to the Bill. He has argued that legislation of such constitutional significance should only become law after extensive national consultations with key stakeholders to build broad public consensus.
