Military-era governance framework in Ghana whose tribunal system and justice practices are frequently referenced in contemporary debates over judicial reform.
… or hours before questioning began, raising what he described as serious concerns about fairness and the exercise of investigative power. “This NDC culture of using the coercive powers of the state to punish suspects should have been left behind with the other excesses of the PNDC …
Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya, Hawa Koomson, has likened the growing intimidation of women in Ghana to the “culture of silence” associated with the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era. …
… ork.” Advancing local governance and women’s political involvement Looking back at the political history of the mid-1980s, the second daughter of the former First Lady recalled how her mother used the 31st December Women’s Movement to back the Provisional National Defence Council …
… Let us begin with the historical record.The Consultative Assembly that prepared the draft of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution was established under PNDC Law 253. …
… On January 31, 1992, Human Rights Watch made publication on the Tribunal system and indicated that, “the Tribunals do not permit the consideration of what are described as legal technicalities.” Members were appointed by the PNDC secretariat with no specified rules to comply with …
… In Ghana, corrupt high-ranking politicians are never jailed but under the erstwhile PNDC, these so-called untouchables were all jailed because their huge wealth could not buy them freedom once they were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt by those Tribunals hence the attack on t …
… Khalid cautioned against automatically associating the word “tribunal” with Ghana’s past experiences of detention and authoritarian rule, particularly under the PNDC era. …
… Delivering his closing remarks, the Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, acknowledged that although the Constitution permits the establishment of public tribunals, the system evokes memories of alleged excesses during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era. …
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office of selective justice, alleging that the state is more interested in intimidating opposition MPs than tackling narcotics networks. He condemned EOCO's handling of the case involving Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, claiming EOCO sought to arrest the MP without a warrant, obtained one only a week later, and did not properly approach the Speaker of Parliament despite the MP's referral of EOCO invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office of selective justice, alleging that the state is more interested in intimidating opposition MPs than tackling narcotics networks. He condemned EOCO's handling of the case involving Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, claiming EOCO sought to arrest the MP without a warrant, obtained one only a week later, and did not properly approach the Speaker of Parliament despite the MP's referral of EOCO invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.
Former MP Hawa Koomson has compared growing intimidation of women in Ghana to the "culture of silence" of the PNDC era, calling on President Mahama to intervene and secure the release of women arrested or detained over statements they made. Women protesters marched to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection demanding action and calling for the release of Salomey Baffoe.
Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings has paid tribute to her late mother, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a fierce campaigner who spent her life driving political, social, and economic development in Ghanaian communities through grassroots leadership rather than desk-bound advocacy.
Kasise Ricky Peprah argues the Ghana Bar Association must answer for an inconsistent approach to constitutionalism, noting it declined to participate in Ghana's 1992 constitutional process but now invokes constitutional principles with apparent political selectivity.
Dr Alex Glover-Quartey, former Head of the Civil Service, has launched his autobiography "The Bureaucrat," calling for greater attention to the role of public servants and the preservation of institutional history. The book was launched on 26 August 2026 at Ridge Church in Accra.
President John Mahama has assented to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, which reintroduces Regional and District Tribunals into Ghana's judicial system, despite opposition from Parliament's Minority, organised labour, and former Vice President Bawumia. The bill was passed by Parliament on July 16, 2026, following a heated debate in which the Minority walked out of the chamber after their motion to delete the tribunal provisions was defeated 135 votes to 16.
An opinion piece argues that Ghana should establish Regional Tribunals despite past military-era tribunals committing human rights violations, saying proper constitutional safeguards can prevent such abuses. The author contends that historical concerns, while understandable, should not prevent Ghana from using an institution recognised by the Constitution if adequately regulated.
The article argues that public tribunals, contrary to criticism from figures like Afenyo-Markin, delivered justice under the PNDC government by successfully prosecuting and jailing corrupt high-ranking politicians, and defends their establishment against claims of unfairness.
Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid argues that specialised tribunals, such as tax and employment tribunals, could reduce pressure on Ghana's regular courts and improve justice administration, and should not be automatically associated with threats to democracy based on historical comparisons with authoritarian rule.
Parliament adjourned sine die with the Minority Caucus calling on President John Dramani Mahama to reject the recently passed Tribunals Bill, which seeks to establish a constitutional and statutory basis for tribunals' operation in Ghana. The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin expressed concern about provisions allowing non-lawyers to serve on tribunal panels, citing memories of alleged excesses during the PNDC era and 1990s human rights abuses.
Ghana's Constitution Review Commission (2011) documented widespread frustration over systemic delays in case disposal across courts and tribunals, rejecting quick-fix legislative timeframe amendments in favor of deep institutional reform.
Joy Online begins a three-part historical series on Ghana's tribunal system, tracing its development from a military apparatus under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (1979) through constitutional reviews that recommended its abolition, to the recent passage of the Tribunals Bill 2026, which promises to replace the defunct Act 459 framework with a transparent, expeditious mechanism for citizen-led justice under democratic oversight.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has cautioned that the government's proposed Tribunals Bill, 2026—laid before Parliament by Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine on June 26, 2026—risks reviving shortcomings of the PNDC-era justice system, arguing Ghana should instead strengthen its existing courts through reforms.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned that the government's proposed Tribunals Bill, 2026 risks reviving shortcomings of the PNDC-era justice system, arguing that Ghana should instead strengthen its existing courts through reforms rather than establish new tribunals.
The Minority in Parliament staged a walkout on July 16 during consideration of the Tribunals Bill, 2026, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin arguing the proposed tribunal system could undermine due process and fair trial guarantees. Opposition to the bill extends beyond Parliament to organised labour and other legal stakeholders, and the Minority drew parallels with Ghana's tribunal system during the PNDC era.
Clement Sangaparee, a founding member of the NDC at Obuasi and retired miner, has appealed for financial help to cover medical bills for an enlarged prostate condition. He says previous support from Samuel Aboagye ceased after his death a year ago, leaving him with GHS200 monthly after loan deductions, and has also requested that the Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive arrange a befitting NDC funeral for him.
Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has defended the government's proposed tribunal bills as aimed at improving the efficiency of Ghana's justice delivery system. He acknowledged concerns about tribunals from the PNDC era but argued that the tribunal system has evolved significantly through legal reforms and judicial decisions.
Ghana's proposed Tribunals Bill 2026, currently before Parliament, has divided opinion between those who see it as a justice reform to ease court backlogs and those concerned it may resurrect the controversial Public Tribunals of the PNDC era. A judicial perspective argues that any assessment must rest on the constitutional framework rather than historical sentiment alone.
An opinion article documents the decades-long complaint of a former Kumasi Brewery employee who purchased a vehicle at a government auction in 1988 and has since battled the state over an alleged injustice related to that transaction.
Member of Parliament Samuel Abu Jinapor has raised concerns in Parliament about the reintroduction of regional tribunals, warning that their historical use during Ghana's PNDC Military era involved unfair proceedings and injustices to citizens. The Attorney-General laid the Tribunal Bill, 2026 before Parliament to establish a reformed tribunal system aimed at improving justice delivery and reducing case backlogs.
The Ghana Bar Association's president has called for the Judiciary to be insulated from political interference to deliver justice effectively, and urged the country to formulate clear guidelines for the removal of Superior Court judges, citing concerns about the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
A newly-qualified lawyer writes on the continuing impact of the June 30, 1982 murders of three judges and a retired military officer who were taken from their homes, shot at Bundase Military Range, and their bodies burned, describing the debt their deaths represent to the legal profession and the pursuit of justice.
The National Democratic Congress held Cadres Commemoration Day at Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, with the General Secretary calling on party members to embrace cadreship and champion the party's values with dedication. The event, themed "Ensuring Transparent Governance: Role of Cadres," was organised by Young Cadres in the Ashanti Region to recognise the role of cadres in sustaining the party's revolution and birth.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has stated that the NDC's decision to concede power after losing the 2000 elections demonstrated its democratic objective and commitment to presidential term limits enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. He affirmed that this act of giving up power sowed the seeds for democracy in Ghana.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold public lectures and commemorative events nationwide to mark the June 4, 2026 edition of its annual "NDC Month," with the theme "Strengthening State Institutions: Lessons from the June 4, 1979 Uprising." The NDC General Secretary said the commemoration reflects on accountability, discipline, integrity, and social justice in governance.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has accused President John Dramani Mahama of resurrecting Ghana's abolished criminal libel regime through the prosecution of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), who was arraigned on charges of offensive conduct and publication of false news stemming from a social media video criticising a Circuit Court judge. Afenyo-Markin described the arrest and prosecution as unconstitutional, a threat to free speech and democracy, and "state-sponsored political persecution."
The Council of State eulogised the late Omanhene of Agogo, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, as "a pillar" in Ghana's political and traditional leadership and pledged support for his funeral rites scheduled for June 4, 2026, following his 51-year reign.
Former National Petroleum Authority CEO Mustapha Abdul Hamid has responded to attacks since declaring his candidacy for National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, saying the criticism shows he is "the man to beat" and strengthens his resolve to continue his campaign.
Amos Safo argues that Ghana is deviating from democratic rule and faces descent into authoritarianism, citing spate of arrests of opposition supporters and others expressing views on social media. He contends that free speech is being criminalised and Ghana's post-1992 democratic reputation is being dissipated.