Minister of Justice and Attorney General-designate, Dr. Dominic Ayine
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General-designate, Dr. Dominic Akurintinga Ayine, has stated that reestablishing public tribunals aligns with the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, 2025, Dr. Ayine noted that the powers of government should be exercised in accordance with the constitution, in the name and for the welfare of the people of Ghana.
“The powers of government should be exercised in accordance with this constitution, in the name and for the welfare of the people of Ghana. Governmental powers include those exercised by the judiciary of our land, and that includes the public tribunals,” he noted.
He further clarified, “I believe that it is not your view, honorable member, that the public tribunals will not or are not part of the judiciary. They are part of the chapter on the judiciary, and so they will be bound by Chapter 5, the Human Rights provisions, and the entire constitution.”
Dr. Ayine elaborated on the broader constitutional framework, stating that the entire constitution is guided by the directive principles of state policy.
He also emphasised the government’s proposal for a reestablishment of the regional tribunals with criminal jurisdiction, in coordination with the High Court.
“We will have the circuit tribunals in all the districts, in all the regions, and then also the district tribunals that will dispense justice in the various regions of our country,” he stated.
He further proposed the enactment of a Public Tribunals Act, that will contain restrictions in terms of the conduct of the tribunals and human rights violations referenced in the Africa Watch Human Rights Report.
JKB/AE
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