Former Vice President and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has noted that Ghana’s democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech.

In an official statement, Dr Bawumia noted that those who oppose and speak freely against politicians should not face arrest or prosecution for expressing their views, as they all contribute to strengthening Ghana's democracy through open and free public discourse.

“Ghana's democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear”.

His comment follows a plea urging the government to release a National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser in Agona West who is facing charges over alleged offensive comments made about him.

According to Dr Bawumia, he neither lodged complaints nor sanctioned the prosecution of individuals who spoke against him during his tenure as Vice President or while the NPP was in government, believing such actions would be imprudent and contrary to democratic principles.

The statement said, “Dr. Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.

“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood”.

Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia has added to the many individuals cautioning President John Dramani Mahama against assenting to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026 passed by Parliament.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, July 19, Dr. Bawumia expressed concern over the passage of the bill, adding that such a move could undermine justice delivery and be used as a tool for injustice.

Dr Bawumia further urged President Mahama to consult key stakeholders for thorough deliberations on the matter.

He added, “The bill will soon be transmitted to the president for his assent, and I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr. President, do not assent to this bill. Pause and let the nation ponder and deliberate on this very important matter”.

“This is not a partisan request. The Trades Union Congress and the voice of millions of Ghanaian workers have called for the bill to be withdrawn, warning that in its current form, it could become a potent tool for weaponising justice delivery.

According to him, “Those are the words of Ghanaian workers, not of any political party. Consider also the government’s own process. The president established the Constitution Review Committee and it recommended removing regional tribunals from the constitution because the High Court has long carried their case loads.”

“My call is simple and constructive, withhold your assent. Convene genuine national engagement. Invite the Ghana Bar Association and other lawyer groups, Organised Labour, CSOs and the political parties including my own and we will come in good faith and consult the judiciary itself.

“Justice belongs to no government and no party, it belongs to the Ghanaian people and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus and not a headcount.

“Mr. President, the pen is in your handy, use it not to assent to this bill but write an invitation to the nation.”

The Tribunals Bill, 2026, was passed by Parliament on Thursday July 16, following the completion of its third reading and subsequent approval by members of the House.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his assent in the coming days before it becomes law.

The Tribunals Bill therefore seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals.

As part of measures to address this lacuna, the Tribunals Bill seeks to establish a clear constitutional and statutory basis for the operation of tribunals within the present democratic system, address the historical stigma associated with public tribunals by emphasising the role of public tribunals in ensuring access to justice and protecting rights of citizens, and to ensure the effective and efficient administration of justice, particularly in cases which require specialised adjudication or expeditious resolution.

The Bill also seeks to ensure the participation of ordinary citizens in the administration of justice and to show clearly the position of tribunals within the court structure to provide for operational clarity.