{"id":2745,"date":"2026-07-08T20:07:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parliamentnews360.com\/?p=2745"},"modified":"2026-07-08T20:08:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T20:08:57","slug":"learn-the-right-lessons-from-our-history-bagbin-backs-tribunals-bill-as-parliament-passes-second-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parliamentnews360.com\/index.php\/learn-the-right-lessons-from-our-history-bagbin-backs-tribunals-bill-as-parliament-passes-second-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018LEARN THE RIGHT LESSONS FROM OUR HISTORY\u2019: BAGBIN BACKS TRIBUNALS BILL AS PARLIAMENT PASSES SECOND READING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Clement Akoloh
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026 through its Second Reading, clearing the way for clause-by-clause amendments after a heated debate over history, public trust, and the fight against galamsey.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin put the question on Wednesday, and the Ayes carried. The Bill now moves to the House for Consideration Stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bagbin: “Don’t Be Carried Away By Propaganda”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing the debate, Speaker Bagbin delivered a history lecture, urging MPs to put emotion aside. \u201cIt’s unfortunate that our history has been completely distorted and misrepresented,\u201d he said. \u201cI plead with members to read more books on our history and you get to understand why at every time during the course of our history some steps were taken. \u201dHe traced tribunals back to the 1966 coup, when he said \u201cthere were no courts, there were no tribunals. It was instant justice.\u201d He added that public tribunals were later created as a \u201cresponse\u201d and \u201cattempt to establish a judicial process. \u201d\u201cThere’s actually no comprehensive record as of which regime killed more people or was more atrocious than the other. We don’t have those records,\u201d Bagbin stated. \u201cSo don’t be carried away by the propaganda that some people put into their books.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constitutional Duty, Not PNDC Nostalgia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Speaker shut down calls for “special courts” instead of tribunals. \u201cThe Constitution itself says public tribunal, regional tribunal, district tribunal,\u201d he said. \u201cIf during the constitutional review we all decide that let’s move away from that to use specialized courts\u2026 that is another decision. But as at now, the bill is talking about regional and district tribunals.\u201d\u201cThe mandate to pass law is in the hands of this House, Parliament. So let’s do a good job at the end of the day,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Majority: “34 Years Overdue<\/strong>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga led the push for passage, calling the Bill \u201clong overdue\u201d to operationalize Article 142 of the 1992 Constitution. Citing an Afrobarometer report, Ayariga said \u201chalf of Ghanaians have no confidence in the judiciary\u201d because \u201ccases drag on forever\u201d and \u201ccorruption has permeated the sector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said day-to-day hearings to stop cases dragging \u201cfor decades\u201d, and a special focus on the environment. \u201cWhen we talk about illegal mining, we’re talking about the environment essentially. These tribunals are going to play a major role in expediting the consideration of matters related to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minority: “Dark Days” Warning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NPP side was not convinced. Samuel Abu Jinapor called the proposal a painful reminder of PNDC-era tribunals, while John Darko warned of \u201cexecutive control\u201d because the President appoints tribunal chairpersons. Abena Osei-Asare argued it was duplication: \u201cLay persons will bring sentiment, not law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens Next<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bill now goes to Consideration Stage where the biggest fights will be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appointments: President vs Judicial CouncilPanel Composition: 2 lay persons + 1 lawyer vs 3 lawyers Scope: All criminal offences vs targeted areas like galamsey and environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaker Bagbin directed the Committee to work on provisions and return with amendments. \u201cLet’s have open minds, calm hearts, look at it in detail and do a better job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:parliamentnews360.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Parliament has passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026 through its Second Reading, clearing the way for clause-by-clause amendments after a heated debate over history, public trust, and the fight against galamsey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,1],"tags":[200,1387,1636,1637],"class_list":{"0":"post-2745","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-news","8":"category-news","9":"tag-alban-sumana-kingsford-bagbin","10":"tag-mahama-ayariga-majority-leader","11":"tag-tribunals-bill","12":"tag-tribunals-bill-2026"},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n