Former Presidential Aide and Senior Adviser to President John Dramani Mahama, Tony Aidoo, has defended the newly enacted Tribunal law, insisting that the legislation is aimed at accelerating justice delivery and the adjudication of corruption cases rather than targeting political opponents.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme in Accra on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Mr Aidoo said the establishment of the Tribunal system was consistent with an expectation among Ghanaians who voted for President Mahama in the 2024 general elections on the basis of his manifesto promises.
He said one of the key expectations was for the government to introduce measures that would speed up the adjudication of corruption cases, particularly cases that remain before the courts for several years.
Mr Aidoo said the passage of the Tribunal legislation therefore represents the fulfilment of a promise made to the Ghanaian electorate.
He rejected comparisons between the new Tribunal system and the tribunals established during the revolutionary period under the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
According to him, the tribunals of that era operated under a different legal and political framework, while the current legislation makes the Tribunal system an integral part of Ghana’s existing judicial structure.
He explained that decisions taken by the new tribunals would not be final because persons affected by their decisions would have access to the normal appeal process.
“Any decision taken by the tribunal will still be subject to appeal,” he said.
Mr Aidoo explained that an aggrieved person could appeal to the Court of Appeal and, where applicable, proceed to the Supreme Court.
He therefore argued that the new system does not represent a departure from Ghana’s established jurisprudence, since constitutional rights, due process and the principles of natural justice would continue to apply.
He also dismissed claims by critics that the Tribunal system could be used to “weaponise justice” against members of a particular political party or political class.
Mr Aidoo pointed to the existence of specialised courts within Ghana’s superior court system, including courts dealing with economic and financial matters, and questioned why a specialised mechanism for dealing with certain cases should automatically be interpreted as political persecution.
He said there is nothing inherently wrong with having specialised institutions to deal with particular categories of cases, provided that the procedures established by law are followed.
According to him, the critical issue is not whether a case is heard by a tribunal or another specialised court, but whether the process is lawful, fair and consistent with the rights of the accused.
He argued that the country must find ways of dealing with cases more quickly because prolonged litigation can undermine confidence in the justice system.
Mr Aidoo invoked the principle that “justice delayed is justice denied,” saying the new system could help ensure that cases are determined within a reasonable period.
He further argued that faster justice would not necessarily disadvantage accused persons.
On the contrary, he said, persons who are innocent would have an opportunity to have their innocence established much earlier instead of spending years defending themselves against allegations.
Mr Aidoo explained that the proposed Tribunal structure would include a chairperson who is a legal practitioner, together with two other members who could be legal practitioners or persons with relevant expertise.
He said the structure was intended to provide a specialised avenue for adjudicating cases while maintaining the safeguards of Ghana’s judicial system.
Addressing concerns raised by organised labour and sections of the legal profession, Mr Aidoo criticised the positions taken by the Trades Union Congress and the Ghana Bar Association on the Tribunal legislation, describing them as biased.
He argued that public institutions and professional bodies should contribute constructive proposals to improve the justice system rather than approach every reform from a partisan or institutional perspective.
Mr Aidoo also called for an end to what he described as the politicisation of every government initiative.
He said Ghana’s democracy was not established to create a privileged political class whose members could manipulate laws and institutions to serve their own interests.
According to him, democracy should instead ensure that the benefits of economic growth are distributed fairly among Ghanaians regardless of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, social status or class.
He urged Ghanaians to focus on whether the new Tribunal system can strengthen the justice sector, reduce delays and improve the prosecution and adjudication of corruption cases.
Mr Aidoo maintained that if the system operates according to the Constitution and established legal procedures, concerns about political witch-hunting should not be allowed to undermine an initiative intended to improve the delivery of justice.
He said the success of the legislation would ultimately depend on its implementation and adherence to due process.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah, Ahotoronline, Accra.