NDC Government to Reintroduce Public Tribunals in Ghana.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has revealed plans to reintroduce the public tribunal system, a move that has sparked nationwide discourse. This pledge, outlined in the party’s 2024 general election manifesto, seeks to revive the community and district-level public tribunals that existed during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era.

The public tribunals were originally introduced to try cases at community, district, and regional levels, enabling grassroots participation in justice administration. However, they were abolished following amendments to the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), amid criticisms of their operations, which some described as a “kangaroo justice system.”

During his parliamentary vetting on January 13, 2025, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice nominee, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, defended the proposal to reintroduce the tribunals. Responding to a query from the Appointments Committee, Dr. Ayine explained that the system aligns with Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution, which emphasizes the role of the people in the administration of justice.

According to Article 125:
1. “Justice emanates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary which shall be independent and subject only to this Constitution.”
2. Citizens may exercise popular participation in the administration of justice through the institutions of public and customary tribunals and the jury and assessor systems.”

Dr. Ayine argued that the reintroduction of public tribunals would fulfill the constitutional directive of promoting popular participation in justice administration. He further highlighted the PNDC’s initial intention of establishing public tribunals to ensure community involvement in the judicial process, which he said was a valuable aspect of governance.

To facilitate this vision, Dr. Ayine disclosed plans to introduce a new bill in Parliament. The legislation will outline a framework for implementing Article 142 of the Constitution, which recognizes Regional Tribunals and their functions. The proposed law will seek to expand these tribunals to communities and districts, complementing the existing judicial structure.

While the NDC’s proposal aims to decentralize justice and improve access, critics have raised concerns about potential challenges. The previous public tribunal system faced accusations of bias, lack of independence, and procedural flaws. These issues led to its eventual abolition under the Fourth Republic.

Supporters, however, argue that the reintroduction of public tribunals could bring justice closer to the people and reduce case backlogs in the formal court system. Proponents believe that with proper safeguards, the new system can avoid the pitfalls of the past and foster fairness, transparency, and community participation.

The NDC’s plan to reintroduce public tribunals represents a bold attempt to reform Ghana’s judicial system. With the Attorney-General nominee promising comprehensive legislation, the success of this initiative will depend on its ability to address past shortcomings while ensuring compliance with constitutional principles.

As the debate continues, the nation awaits the details of the proposed bill and how it will shape the future of justice delivery in Ghana.