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Mr Kwame Owusu Danso urges caution over proposed Tribunals Bill
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Lawyer and Executive Director of Lands and Mines Watch Ghana, Mr Kwame Owusu Danso, has called for broad national consultation on the proposed Tribunals Bill, saying many Ghanaians still carry painful memories of how tribunals were used in the past.
Speaking on the issue in Joy news platform on Monday July 20, 2026, Mr Owusu Danso said the country should approach the proposed reintroduction of tribunals with caution because previous experiences had left lasting scars on many people.
According to him, tribunals were once perceived as institutions used to intimidate people and suppress dissent, making it important for the government to build public confidence before introducing a similar system.
“People still have scars from the past. They remember how tribunals were used as a means of cowering people into submission. If you are going to reintroduce a system that left painful scars in the lives of many people, then you ought to be very measured,” he said.
He stressed that extensive consultation with stakeholders was necessary to assure Ghanaians that the proposed tribunals would not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Mr Owusu Danso also raised concerns about provisions in the bill that would allow non-lawyers to serve on tribunal panels.
He said the proposal reminded many people of the tribunal system that existed in the 1980s, where non-lawyers also participated in hearing cases.
According to him, although there may be criteria for appointing such individuals, concerns remain because the appointments could be made by political authorities.
He argued that this could create perceptions of political influence over the tribunal system and undermine public confidence in its independence.
“The fact that non-lawyers will be appointed by political people means politics cannot be separated from the process. That could open the door to extreme partisan politics, and we ought to be very careful,” he stated.
Mr Owusu Danso said protecting the rule of law required a justice system that the public trusted to be fair and independent.
He added that people should be able to appear before courts and tribunals without fear or preconceived notions about the outcome of their cases, stressing that any reforms to the justice system should inspire confidence among the public.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people and retrieved firearms, ammunition and other offensive items during an intelligence led operation at Sapeiman Faase in the Greater Accra Region.
According to a press release issued by the Command on Monday, the operation was carried out jointly with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) on July 17, 2026.
The Police identified the suspects as Torgbui Agah Semaglo, 50, Shadrach Agah Semaglo, 22, William Kweku Sedanu, 21, Cyril Kassenu, 26, and Kingsford Agah Semaglo, 18.
The Command said a search at the suspects’ premises led to the retrieval of a pump action gun, a Stoeger ST R9 pistol, a dummy Austria pistol, a jackknife, a face mask, 12 BB cartridges, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one AK-47 round of ammunition, a talisman and two kitchen knives.
It noted that all the items had been kept as exhibits to support investigations.
The Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal group involved in armed robbery and landguard activities.
It alleged that they used the recovered weapons to terrorise residents in Sapeiman and nearby communities.
The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to determine their involvement in other robbery cases and related criminal activities. The Police also said it was working to identify and arrest any additional accomplices.
The Accra Regional Police Command commended members of the public for providing credible information that supported its work and urged residents to remain vigilant.
It encouraged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers, adding that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the region.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a revised national curriculum for kindergarten to junior high school will be presented to the Ministry of Education on Wednesday for further approval.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today, Mr. Iddrisu said the new curriculum was developed by the National Curriculum Assessment Agency (NaCCA) as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning at the basic education level.
According to him, the revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Ministry before it is forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama. He added that it will then be sent to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.
Mr. Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is designed to support a “Smart Start” approach by strengthening the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
He explained that the government intends to introduce new subjects, including coding, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into the basic school curriculum.
The Minister said the changes form part of the government’s commitment to equipping pupils with practical and digital skills needed to meet the demands of the modern world.
He expressed confidence that the revised curriculum would help prepare learners for future opportunities by integrating technology and innovation into education from the early years of schooling.
By: Jacob Aggrey
