The 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has cautioned the government against relying on its overwhelming majority in Parliament to pass every piece of legislation brought before the House.
According to the former Vice President, while the government commands one of the largest parliamentary majorities in the history of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, such numerical strength should be exercised with restraint and a strong sense of responsibility.
Dr Bawumia made the remarks during a national address on Sunday, July 19, as debate continues over the recently passed Public Tribunals Bill, 2026, which has drawn criticism from the opposition and some civil society organisations.
He argued that Parliament’s ability to pass legislation by virtue of its numbers does not necessarily mean every proposed law should be approved.
“Mr President, your government commands one of the largest majorities in the history of the Fourth Republic. With such numbers, Parliament can pass almost any bill it wishes. Not everything that can be passed should be passed,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia further stressed that the true measure of a parliamentary majority lies not in the volume of laws enacted but in their fairness and their impact on the lives of citizens.
“History will not ask how many votes a law received. It will ask whether the law is just, equitable, and seeks to promote and protect the interests of Ghanaians,” he added.
The NPP flagbearer also questioned the rationale behind establishing a separate tribunal system, arguing that Ghana’s judicial challenges would be better addressed through reforms within the existing court structure.
He maintained that appointing more judges, constructing additional courtrooms, expanding judicial infrastructure, and digitising court processes would provide a more sustainable and effective solution to reducing case backlogs and improving access to justice.