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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
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
