Regional Tribunal Courts Could Drain Ghana's Purse With US$10m Operating Budget — Legal Expert Warns

A constitutional law expert has raised fresh concerns about the financial sustainability of Ghana's proposed regional tribunal courts, cautioning that operationalising the new system could require an investment exceeding US$10 million without clear budgetary planning.

Dennis Adjei Dwomoh, an adjunct constitutional law lecturer at GIMPA Law School, highlighted the gap between legislative intent and practical implementation, arguing that Parliament's passage of the Regional Tribunals Act has not been accompanied by adequate financial and policy frameworks necessary for the courts to function effectively across the country.

The Cost Question Parliament Must Answer

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Dwomoh emphasised that whilst establishing the physical infrastructure for regional tribunals represents one challenge, the real financial burden lies in sustaining their operations. He stressed that the actual cost of running these courts remains unknown, creating uncertainty about the government's capacity to deliver on the initiative's promises.

"Establishing is one thing, but the operationalisation of the Tribunals may cost you not less than $10 million if you want to effectively do it well," he noted. The lecturer argued for a more thoughtful approach to lawmaking in Ghana, one where legislators pair new legislation with comprehensive supporting policies and realistic budgets before implementation begins.

Mr Dwomoh's concern reflects a broader principle he advocates for in constitutional drafting: that laws should be crafted with full awareness of the human rights obligations they create and the practical costs of realising those rights. "When these laws are passed, there should be a policy behind that and possibly a budget behind it," he stated, underscoring the disconnect between Ghana's legislative ambitions and fiscal reality.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Ghana's justice system has long struggled with case backlogs and delays that undermine access to justice for ordinary Ghanaians. The government has championed regional tribunals as a decentralised solution to speed up case handling and reduce the burden on traditional courts. However, without transparent budgeting, the initiative risks becoming another unfunded mandate that strains already limited judicial resources.

The controversy surrounding the Regional Tribunals Act reveals a pattern in Ghana's governance where good intentions collide with fiscal constraints. The country's budget remains stretched across competing priorities—healthcare, education, infrastructure—and the judiciary typically receives a modest allocation. Introducing a new court system without proven funding mechanisms raises legitimate questions about whether the government can adequately staff, equip, and maintain these tribunals in all regions.

Moreover, the debate exposes the need for Parliament to engage in more rigorous scrutiny of legislation before passage. When the Minority and some legal practitioners have expressed concerns about both necessity and financial implications, those voices warrant serious consideration rather than swift passage.

Opposition and the Path Forward

The initiative has drawn significant pushback from Parliament's Minority caucus and sections of the legal profession, who question both the tribunals' constitutional soundness and their cost-effectiveness. These concerns have not deterred the government, but they underscore the importance of Mr Dwomoh's call for clearer planning.

For Ghana to proceed successfully with regional tribunals, the government should commission a detailed cost-benefit analysis, establish a realistic operational budget, and present a phased implementation plan that Parliament can scrutinise. Without such groundwork, the tribunals risk becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a genuine tool for justice delivery.