Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has opposed calls for the reintroduction of the tribunal system, describing the move as unnecessary and counterproductive.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on June 17, 2025, Ansa-Asare said that the revival of the tribunal system would undermine Ghana’s democratic progress and promote corruption.
“The tribunal system has always existed. So, any nominee suggesting we reintroduce it did not speak appropriately. Sections 39 and 40 of the Courts Act already cover this. We abolished the community and circuit tribunals, but the district and circuit courts remain active,” he said.
His comments fall on the back of remarks made by Supreme Court nominee, Justice Yaw Dzamefe, during his vetting before the Appointments Committee on June 16, 2025.
Justice Dzamefe had backed calls for the establishment of regional tribunals to help reduce the growing case backlog in courts across the country.
However, Ansa-Asare disagreed with the proposal, warning that it could have negative political consequences for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if implemented under the Mahama-led government.
“The attempt to revive the tribunal is to refer ORAL cases there, but it will bring down the popularity of the NDC. We don’t need it. We are already struggling to pay one judge at the district court. How can we afford three judges at a tribunal?” he quizzed.
He also expressed the concern that the system could become a breeding ground for corruption.
“Those people are also corrupt, so we’ll just be fuelling corruption if we bring them back,” he stated.