Jinapor Opposes Bill to Establish Regional and District Tribunals
Damongo MP says Ghana's existing courts are capable of delivering justice and urges government to strengthen the current judicial system instead.
- Jinapor opposes tribunal proposal.
- Calls for more High Courts instead.
- Says existing courts are sufficient.
Member of Parliament for Damongo and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has opposed proposals to establish regional and district tribunals, arguing that Ghana’s existing judicial system is sufficient to administer justice effectively.
Contributing to debate in Parliament on a bill sponsored by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, Jinapor said Ghana’s court system has served the country well under the Fourth Republic and remains capable of handling all categories of cases.
According to him, the current judicial structure—from the Magistrate and District Courts through the Circuit Courts, High Courts, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court—has performed creditably over the years and enjoys public confidence.
Jinapor argued that if the government’s objective is to reduce the backlog of cases, it should instead invest in expanding the existing court system by establishing more High Courts and equipping them with the resources needed to operate efficiently.
He further contended that the proposal to establish regional and district tribunals could revive painful memories for some Ghanaians, citing alleged human rights abuses associated with tribunals during the era of former President Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings.
The Damongo MP maintained that strengthening the existing judiciary would be a more appropriate approach than creating a parallel tribunal system.
Jinapor made the remarks during parliamentary debate on the bill seeking approval to establish regional tribunals across the country.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
