Former Director of Ghana School of Law, Kweku Ansa Asare, has criticised the proposal to reintroduce the tribunal system under the Mahama-led government, labeling it as a step backward for Ghana’s democracy.
According to him, reviving the tribunal system would erode Ghana’s democratic progress and jeopardise the protection of individual rights.
This he explained in an interview on Joy FM's Newsnight is because the tribunal system was "atrocious" and "obnoxious." He went further to call the individuals behind it "devilish."
"Why would the Mahama Government try to bring back this atrocious, obnoxious canker? It was evil. The tribunal system was very evil, and the people behind it were devilish. Why would they want to do that? I don't support it. In fact, it will be, it shall be fiercely resisted," he stated on Tuesday, January 14.
His comment follows the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice nominee, Dr Dominic Ayine asserting that the NDC government intends to reintroduce the public tribunals in communities and districts in addition to the already existing regional ones.
In a passionate critique, Mr. Asare highlighted Article 126(1)(b) of the Constitution, which grants Parliament the power to establish lower courts or tribunals by law.
However, he emphasised that this provision, while valid, should be approached with caution to avoid undermining constitutional principles and the democratic gains of the Fourth Republic.
Referring to the origins of the tribunal system during the early 1980s under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime led by Jerry John Rawlings, Mr. Asare noted that the tribunals operated in a context without a constitutional framework, allowing unchecked powers.
Contrasting that era with today’s governance under a constitutional democracy, Mr. Asare underscored the safeguards embedded in the 1992 Constitution.
He pointed to the preamble, which upholds liberty, equality of opportunity, and prosperity for all Ghanaians, as well as Chapter Five, which enshrines fundamental human rights.
He further warned that any attempt to reintroduce such a system would face fierce resistance from Ghanaians.
"We have Article 2, which allows any person who feels their constitutional rights are being threatened to go to the Supreme Court. If this proposal moves forward, it will lead to continuous legal battles, making Mahama’s work very unpleasant," he stated.
Latest Stories
-
Let the law take its course – Energy Minister on ECG container saga and power theft
11 minutes -
Small-Scale miners accuse law enforcement and politicians of extortion and harassment
16 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives condemn burning of Bawku Naba’s Statue, says it’s a declaration of war
23 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives threaten to withdraw from campaigns over Bawku insecurity
26 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives condemn alleged State-sponsored attack in Bawku
30 minutes -
NDC executives in 6 Kusaug constituencies accuse Mahama of betrayal over Bawku security crisis
33 minutes -
West African leaders launch Executive Forum on Strategic Compliance
34 minutes -
Minority condemns Ablekuma North rerun violence, calls it a threat to Ghana’s democracy
39 minutes -
“Bigger faces don’t always bring bigger money” – Jeffrey Nortey slams selective casting in Ghana’s film industry
49 minutes -
Winning WAFCON 2024 will define success for Black Queens – Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah
51 minutes -
Police nab three over gold robbery in Western Region
53 minutes -
Ministers, agency heads to use solar-powered electric cars – Energy Minister
1 hour -
ECG deploys new billing system to curb revenue losses – Energy Minister
1 hour -
Star Assurance rewards 10 customers with GH₵100k at 2nd quarter draw of “40 Reasons to Smile” promo in Takoradi
1 hour -
Government sets 2028 target for universal electricity access – Energy Minister
1 hour