Parliamentary majority is no licence to pass every bill – Bawumia

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has cautioned the Mahama administration against using its overwhelming parliamentary majority to pass every piece of legislation brought before Parliament, stressing that numerical strength must be accompanied by restraint, accountability and respect for democratic principles.

Dr Bawumia's remarks come amid growing national debate over the recently passed Tribunals Bill, which has generated strong opposition from the Minority in Parliament and criticism from sections of civil society over its potential implications for Ghana's justice system.

Speaking during a national address on Sunday, July 19, the former Vice President acknowledged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government enjoys one of the largest parliamentary majorities since the beginning of the Fourth Republic but warned that legislative power should be exercised responsibly.

Dr Bawumia argued that possessing the numbers to approve legislation should not become the sole basis for enacting laws, urging lawmakers to carefully consider the long-term impact of every bill before Parliament.

"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.

According to him, governments are ultimately judged not by the size of their parliamentary majority but by the fairness, constitutionality and public value of the laws they enact.

"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," Dr Bawumia added.

Addressing concerns over Ghana's justice delivery system, Dr Bawumia maintained that the country's judicial challenges could be resolved by strengthening the existing court structure rather than creating a separate tribunal system.

He argued that improving the efficiency of the judiciary would require greater investment in infrastructure, technology and human resources.

According to the former Vice President, government should prioritise the appointment of additional judges, the construction of more courtrooms and the expansion of digital systems to speed up the adjudication of cases.

He said these reforms would provide a more sustainable and effective solution to court congestion while preserving the integrity of Ghana's existing judicial framework.

The Tribunals Bill has become one of the most contentious pieces of legislation passed by the current Parliament.

Supporters of the bill argue that it will strengthen the administration of justice by creating a more efficient framework for handling specialised cases and reducing delays within the judicial system.

However, critics contend that the proposed tribunal system could create unnecessary parallel judicial structures and raise constitutional concerns.

The Minority in Parliament has already appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold his assent to the bill, arguing that certain provisions are inconsistent with the Constitution. The caucus has also indicated that it may challenge the legislation before the Supreme Court if it is signed into law.

Meanwhile, the Majority has defended the legislation, insisting that it introduces important judicial reforms aimed at improving access to justice and expediting the hearing of specific categories of cases.

Dr Bawumia concluded that judicial reform should focus on strengthening existing institutions rather than creating new structures that could generate further legal and political controversy.

He urged the government to ensure that every law enacted serves the national interest, protects the rights of citizens and strengthens Ghana's democratic governance.