News
Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-20-at-14.26.30.jpeg&description=Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-20-at-14.26.30.jpeg&description=Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, but instead begin broad consultations with key stakeholders before any decision is taken.
In a public address yesterday, Dr Bawumia said the bill had the potential to reshape Ghana’s justice delivery system and therefore required wider national discussion.
He noted that Parliament passed the bill after waiving the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading, despite objections from the Minority and organised labour.
“The bill will soon be transmitted to the President for his assent. I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr President, do not assent to this bill,” he stated.
According to him, the issue should not be treated as a partisan matter because it concerns the country’s justice system and democracy.
Dr Bawumia pointed out that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) had called for the withdrawal of the bill, warning that in its current form it could be used to weaponise the justice delivery system.
He also referred to the work of the Constitution Review Committee, which was set up by President Mahama and submitted its report last December.
According to him, the committee recommended the removal of regional tribunals from the Constitution because the High Court had long been handling their workload.
He questioned why Parliament had passed legislation to reintroduce tribunals before the committee’s report had been made public.
“Mr President, publish the report first,” he urged.
Dr Bawumia further argued that Ghana’s congested courts should be addressed by appointing more judges, building more courtrooms and expanding digital processes instead of creating what he described as a second justice system.
He expressed concern that the proposed tribunals could include panel members who are not lawyers sitting in judgment over criminal cases.
The NPP flagbearer appealed to the President to use his parliamentary majority with restraint, stressing that not every bill that could be passed should necessarily become law.
He called on President Mahama to convene a national dialogue involving the Ghana Bar Association, other lawyers’ groups, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties and the Judiciary.
Dr Bawumia assured the President that the NPP would participate in such discussions in good faith if invited.
“Justice belongs to no government and no party. It belongs to the Ghanaian people, and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus, not on headcount,” he said.
He urged the President to use the Council of State process under Articles 90 and 106 of the 1992 Constitution to engage the nation instead of assenting to the bill.
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
