'Tribunal courts won't target NPP’ - Dr Ayine

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has assured Ghanaians, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the government's proposed regional tribunal courts will not be used to persecute members of any political party.

The assurance came after concerns were raised by the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, who questioned the rationale behind establishing regional tribunals instead of strengthening the existing court system.

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Responding to Jinapor’s concerns in Parliament on July 8, 2026, Dr Ayine acknowledged that some members of the opposition, particularly the NPP, fear the proposed tribunals could become politically biased, with government-affiliated individuals appointed to preside over cases involving political opponents.

“Some of them have expressed a view that this is an attempt to bring back the tribunals, make it a case of a job for the boys, appoint members affiliated to the current government and then have the members of the opposite party dragged before the tribunals to face kangaroo justice,” he said.

He, however, dismissed those fears, insisting the tribunals when established would operate independently and uphold the rule of law.

"I want to assure them that the tribunals when established will be party neutral. It will not be targeting any particular political party. They will dispense justice in accordance of the law and it will be fair and transparent in the dispensation of justice. So that is something that I want to assure every Ghanaian including the NPP,” he assured.

Earlier on the floor, Abu Jinapor argued that Ghana already has an established judicial system comprising District Courts, Circuit Courts, High Courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

He questioned why the government was seeking to create another layer of courts instead of investing in expanding the existing infrastructure and increasing the number of judges and court staff.

"Why additional courts? Why do we like to create new institutions every now and again. We have High Courts, why have regional tribunals? If you want to have more courts, judges, judicial staff, just follow up with what former President Akufo-Addo did when he built almost 100 court complexes in our country. Build more complexes, recruit more judges, judicial staffs, and if you want a jury system, let us have it,” he argued.

The Damongo MP further warned that the proposed tribunals could create public suspicion if appointments are perceived to favour supporters of the governing party.

He said such a development could revive memories of politically motivated tribunals and undermine confidence in the country's justice system.

"Mr Speaker, I don’t want to believe this is job for the boys. I don’t want to believe that and it shouldn’t be. I don’t want to believe we want to recruit some lawyers from certain quarters and make them chairpersons of regional tribunals and get jobs and have some kangaroo system where opponents of the administration will be run through a certain judicial system and jailed,” he noted.

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"We don’t want that. Let’s have the existing court system, the district magistrate court, circuit courts, high court, court of appeal and the supreme court. That is the judicial system in all civilized developed countries in the world. We do not want regional tribunals. They bring about bad and scary memories, bad dreams and intimidation in our country,” he concluded.

MAG/VPO

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