Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has assured Ghanaians that the government’s proposal to establish regional tribunal courts is not intended to persecute members of any political party, including the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

His comments followed concerns raised in Parliament by the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, who questioned the need for regional tribunals when Ghana already has an established judicial system.

Speaking during parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Dr Ayine acknowledged that some members of the opposition fear the proposed tribunals could be politically influenced, with government-aligned individuals appointed to preside over cases involving political opponents.

“Some of them have expressed a view that this is an attempt to bring back the tribunals, make it a case of a job for the boys, appoint members affiliated to the current government and then have the members of the opposite party dragged before the tribunals to face kangaroo justice,” he said.

The Attorney General, however, dismissed those concerns, insisting that the tribunals, if established, would operate independently, uphold the rule of law, and deliver justice fairly and transparently.

“I want to assure them that the tribunals when established will be party neutral. It will not be targeting any particular political party. They will dispense justice in accordance of the law and it will be fair and transparent in the dispensation of justice. So that is something that I want to assure every Ghanaian including the NPP,” he assured.

Earlier in the debate, Mr Abu Jinapor argued that Ghana already has a comprehensive judicial structure comprising District Courts, Circuit Courts, High Courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, making the creation of regional tribunals unnecessary.

He urged the government to invest in expanding the existing court system by constructing more court complexes and recruiting additional judges and judicial staff instead of establishing new institutions.

“Why additional courts? Why do we like to create new institutions every now and again. We have High Courts, why have regional tribunals? If you want to have more courts, judges, judicial staff, just follow up with what former President Akufo-Addo did when he built almost 100 court complexes in our country. Build more complexes, recruit more judges, judicial staffs, and if you want a jury system, let us have it,” he argued.

The Damongo MP further warned that public confidence in the justice system could be undermined if appointments to the proposed tribunals are perceived as favouring supporters of the governing party.

He said Ghanaians still remember politically motivated tribunals from the country’s past and cautioned against introducing a system that could revive those concerns.

“Mr Speaker, I don’t want to believe this is job for the boys. I don’t want to believe that and it shouldn’t be. I don’t want to believe we want to recruit some lawyers from certain quarters and make them chairpersons of regional tribunals and get jobs and have some kangaroo system where opponents of the administration will be run through a certain judicial system and jailed,” he said.

Mr Abu Jinapor maintained that Ghana should strengthen its existing courts rather than establish regional tribunals.

“We don’t want that. Let’s have the existing court system, the district magistrate court, circuit courts, high court, court of appeal and the supreme court. That is the judicial system in all civilized developed countries in the world. We do not want regional tribunals. They bring about bad and scary memories, bad dreams and intimidation in our country,” he concluded.