Afenyo-Markin signals NPP could reverse tribunals under future government

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has indicated that a future New Patriotic Party (NPP) government could reverse the tribunals system being introduced by the Mahama administration, arguing that the move is unnecessary and could disrupt Ghana’s existing judicial framework.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Effutu Member of Parliament said the NPP believes the focus should be on strengthening the country’s existing courts rather than establishing regional tribunals.

“The NPP’s position is very clear. We don’t need these regional tribunals,” he said.

According to Mr. Afenyo-Markin, government should invest in retooling the courts, training judges and strengthening the judiciary to improve justice delivery.

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“What we need to do is to strengthen our court system, invest in retooling, train our judges and get those with the necessary integrity to man our courts and dispense justice without fear or favour,” he stated.

He argued that any system that disrupts Ghana’s current judicial structure would have to be removed.

“Anything that will disturb the existing judicial infrastructure would have to go,” he said.

Although he did not explicitly state that the Tribunals Bill would be repealed, Mr. Afenyo-Markin suggested that an NPP administration would pursue reforms to reverse the policy if it returns to power.

He noted that such changes would require both executive authority and parliamentary support.

“You need executive powers to support your legislative powers in Parliament to effect major reforms, transformations and changes,” he said.

His comments come after Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, despite opposition from the Minority, which argued that the proposed tribunals could undermine due process and fair trial guarantees.

The government has defended the legislation, saying it is intended to improve access to justice by reducing delays and addressing the growing backlog of cases in Ghana’s courts.

The Bill is awaiting presidential assent before it becomes law.