By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the government of Ghana to suspend consideration of the proposed Tribunal Bill, 2026, arguing that it should not proceed until the country’s constitutional review process has been completed.
According to the TUC’s Deputy General Secretary, Joshua Ansah, the government should first publish the full report of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), state its official position on the committee’s recommendations and allow for broad public consultation before Parliament proceeds with the Tribunal Bill.
The TUC maintains that it had recommended during the constitutional review process that regional tribunals be removed from the Constitution, and says the committee accepted that recommendation. It therefore questioned why the government has introduced legislation to re-establish regional and district tribunals before responding to the CRC’s report.
The labour union also expressed concern that the Bill could increase political influence over the judiciary. It argued that provisions allowing the President to appoint tribunal chairpersons, while Regional Coordinating Councils and District Assemblies appoint panel members, could undermine judicial independence.
The TUC says it will formally petition the Speaker of Parliament, rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin to halt consideration of the Bill until the constitutional review process is concluded.
The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has defended the proposed legislation, saying the Tribunal Bill is intended to improve access to justice, reduce case backlogs, and reintroduce tribunals with stronger constitutional safeguards and oversight. The Bill has been referred to Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Judiciary Committees for further scrutiny. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
