For generations, children across Africa have learned to count using numerals that originated far from the continent—the familiar 0 through 9 of the Arabic numeral system.

But a quiet revolution is underway in the dusty streets of Tamale, in northern Ghana, where a pilot program is introducing a radically different approach: African Numerals.

The system, developed by Ghanaian teacher and researcher Amadu Hudu, is designed to make mathematics and STEM learning more intuitive, particularly for young learners who often struggle with the abstract shapes of conventional numerals. Hudu, a Dagomba by tribe, spent years researching and refining the symbols, which he argues are simpler, more self-explanatory, and more aligned with African cultural and linguistic patterns.

The pilot program, which has received backing from both the Ghana Education Service and the Mathematical Association of Ghana, is being closely watched by educators across the continent.

‘You Count and Get the Number Straight’

In classrooms in Tamale, the difference is palpable. One educator involved in the pilot explained the challenge with traditional methods in a DW report:

“With the conventional numerals, most children have to either do circles inside their books or use their fingers to count… But with this one, when you just count, you count and get the number straight.”

The numerals are designed with visual clarity in mind. They are described as “comb-like” symbols that are easy to identify and write. Studies conducted by Hudu among thousands of people—including literate and illiterate adults, children, and even the visually impaired—found that a majority understood the African Numerals “faster, smarter and easily” than conventional ones. The symbols take less time to write and are easier to recognize, even when printed on objects like banknotes.

Reconnecting with Heritage, Strengthening STEM

For Hudu, the project is about more than just simplifying arithmetic. It’s about cultural preservation and empowerment. He has stated that the numerals are designed “to help preserve and promote our Ghanaian culture, especially our languages”. He believes that many Africans struggle with numeracy because the conventional symbols bear no resemblance to their traditions, culture, or speech.

Advocates argue that the system offers a dual benefit: it can strengthen STEM education by making math less intimidating, while simultaneously reconnecting younger generations with Africa’s intellectual heritage. The initiative also has practical applications beyond the classroom. A wall clock using African Numerals has been developed to help even non-formal groups, such as market women, tell time more easily.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the promise, awareness of African Numerals remains limited. Some learners are uncertain about embracing a new system after years of using the conventional numerals.

There are also practical questions about scalability and how the system would integrate with the global mathematical community, which overwhelmingly uses Arabic numerals.

Nevertheless, the pilot program is expanding. A stakeholders’ forum was held in Tamale to design implementation strategies for schools and the non-formal sector. The Northern Regional Director of Education has expressed hope that the numerals will be incorporated into the curriculum for colleges of education.

As the pilot progresses, educators will be watching closely to see whether these new symbols can unlock a new, more accessible approach to learning mathematics for millions of children across the continent.

For now, in Tamale, a small but significant step is being taken to answer a big question: can Africa’s own numbers make math make sense?

On July 16, 2026, Ghana’s Parliament passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, a landmark piece of legislation that seeks to reintroduce public tribunals into the country’s judicial system.

The bill, laid before Parliament on June 26, 2026, by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on behalf of Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine, has sparked one of the most heated political and civic debates in recent Ghanaian history.

The legislation now awaits presidential assent from President John Dramani Mahama, who faces mounting pressure from both supporters and opponents of the bill.

What Is the Tribunals Bill?

The Tribunals Bill, 2026, is designed to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the operation of public tribunals in Ghana, in accordance with Articles 126 and 142 of the 1992 Constitution.

While the Constitution explicitly provides for the creation of Regional Tribunals as part of the judiciary, these tribunals have remained largely defunct or underutilized for decades. The bill seeks to activate these dormant constitutional provisions and create a functional two‑tier tribunal system.

Structure and Jurisdiction

The bill proposes a two‑tier tribunal structure:

Tier	Jurisdiction	Composition
Regional Tribunals	Concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court over selected criminal matters, including economic crimes, narcotics offenses, tax-related offenses, illegal mining (galamsey), corruption, and cases involving financial loss to the state	Chairperson (legally qualified) + two lay panel members
District Tribunals	Share criminal jurisdiction with Circuit Courts for specified matters, excluding treason, capital offenses, and cases triable on indictment	Chairperson (legally qualified) + two lay panel members

Key Features

• Lay panel participation: Each tribunal will be chaired by a legally qualified person but will sit alongside two ordinary citizens as panel members—a model intended to increase citizen participation and demystify the legal process.
• Tribunal Oversight Committee: The bill establishes a committee to supervise the administration and performance of tribunals.
• Appellate review: Decisions of tribunals will be subject to appeal, ensuring fairness and adherence to due process.
• Integration into the Judicial Service: Unlike the PNDC-era tribunals, the 2026 model operates under the strict oversight of the Chief Justice, with defendants retaining full constitutional rights to legal representation and fair trial procedures.

The Case for the Bill: Government’s Position

1. Addressing Court Backlogs

The Attorney-General has argued that the tribunals are urgently needed to address the growing backlog of cases in Ghana’s regular courts. Traditional courts accumulate approximately 3,360 new backlog cases annually, placing an unsustainable burden on the existing judicial infrastructure.

Dr. Ayine has explained that the legislation seeks to reduce delays in the hearing and determination of cases while ensuring stronger constitutional safeguards for tribunal operations.

2. Specialized Jurisdiction for Priority Crimes

The tribunals are specifically designed to provide faster adjudication for high-priority cases that demand expedited resolution, including:

• Illegal mining (galamsey) and environmental degradation
• Economic crimes and high-profile fraud
• Tax evasion and customs violations
• Corruption and cases involving financial loss to the state

3. Constitutional Activation

Proponents argue that the bill simply operationalizes what the 1992 Constitution already provides for. Article 126(1) of the Constitution states that the judiciary shall consist of the Superior Courts of Judicature—comprising the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and Regional Tribunals—alongside such lower courts or tribunals as Parliament may establish.

4. Decongestion and Decentralization

The bill is also intended to improve access to justice at the local level, bringing adjudication closer to citizens in districts and regions across the country.

The Case Against the Bill: Criticism and Opposition

1. Minority in Parliament: “A Parallel Justice System”

The Minority Caucus, led by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo‑Markin, has been the most vocal opponent of the bill. Their primary contention is that the bill creates a parallel justice system not recognized under the 1992 Constitution.

Afenyo‑Markin argued during parliamentary debate: “We have a judicial system—district court, circuit court, high court, court of appeal, and the Supreme Court. If there are issues with the system, the way to go is to reform and to resource, equip, and retool. It is not to create a parallel system with coordinate jurisdiction.”

The Minority also raised concerns about jurisdictional confusion, questioning whether the proposed tribunals would handle civil or criminal matters and how they would fit into Ghana’s existing judicial hierarchy.

2. Concerns Over Composition: Non‑Lawyers Judging Criminal Matters

One of the most contentious provisions is Clause 4, which establishes that each tribunal will consist of a legally qualified chairperson and two non‑lawyer lay members.

The Minority argued that a body with only one legally trained member should not be responsible for determining criminal matters, warning that the arrangement could result in people being “pronounced guilty before their cases are properly determined.”

3. Historical Ghosts: The PNDC Era

The mention of “public tribunals” evokes painful memories of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era in the 1980s.

Public tribunals were instituted under PNDC Law 24 in 1982 and functioned alongside the regular courts, addressing cases related to economic crimes, corruption, and offenses against the state. However, critics at the time argued that they lacked judicial independence and that “rather than prosecuting, they were persecuting.”

The Minority referenced this history, alleging that tribunals during the PNDC era were used to target individuals and confiscate their assets.

4. Trades Union Congress (TUC) Opposition

Organized Labour, through the Trades Union Congress (TUC) led by Secretary‑General Joshua Ansah, explicitly called on the government to withdraw the proposed law.

The TUC argued that tribunals—historically associated with parallel legal systems—are obsolete and could undermine public trust and confidence in the formal administration of justice. Labor leaders maintained that regional tribunals should be permanently removed via constitutional amendment rather than revived.

5. Bawumia’s Appeal: “Don’t Sign”

The NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has made a direct public appeal to President Mahama to withhold assent to the bill.

Addressing the nation on July 19, 2026, Bawumia argued that reforms affecting Ghana’s justice system should be built on broad public consensus rather than a parliamentary majority.

“Mr President, do not assent to this bill. Pause and let the nation ponder and deliberate on this very important matter,” Bawumia urged.

He warned that in its current form, the bill could become a “potent tool for weaponising justice delivery” —a phrase echoed by the TUC.

Bawumia also noted that the Constitution Review Committee established by the President had recommended removing regional tribunals from the constitution because the High Court had long carried their caseloads.

The Parliamentary Battle: How the Bill Was Passed

The passage of the bill was marked by dramatic scenes in Parliament:

1. June 26, 2026: The bill was laid before Parliament.
2. Committee Review: The bill underwent detailed examination by the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee.
3. Clause 4 Debate: The Minority sought to delete Clause 4 (establishing the tribunals).
4. Voice Vote: First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor put the proposal to a voice vote, which was rejected.
5. Headcount: The Minority demanded a headcount. The result: 135 votes against deleting Clause 4, 16 votes in favor—a decisive defeat for the opposition.
6. Minority Walkout: Following the vote, the Minority Caucus walked out of the chamber, declaring they would not participate in the remaining stages.
7. Waiver of Standing Orders: The mandatory one‑day interval between the consideration stage and third reading was waived, allowing the bill to be passed on the same day.
8. July 16, 2026: The bill passed its third reading.

Minority Leader Afenyo‑Markin explained the walkout: “Once the Majority Leader makes a strong pronouncement that whatever the case, they will not listen, they will use their numbers to pass the Bill, then there was no point again.”

He further stated that the NPP would reverse the tribunal system if elected in 2028.

What Happens Next?

The bill has been transmitted to President John Dramani Mahama for assent.

• If the President signs the bill, it becomes law, and the process of establishing Regional and District Tribunals will begin.
• If the President withholds assent—as urged by Bawumia, the TUC, and the Minority—the bill would stall, though Parliament could potentially override a veto.
• The Minority has also indicated it will challenge the bill in court if it is assented to, arguing that it is unconstitutional.

A Defining Moment for Ghanaian Justice

The Tribunals Bill, 2026, represents a defining moment for Ghana’s judicial and democratic trajectory. Supporters see it as a necessary reform to decongest the courts, expedite justice for serious crimes, and activate dormant constitutional provisions. Opponents view it as a dangerous retreat to the dark days of the PNDC era, warning of a parallel justice system that could undermine due process, fair trial guarantees, and public trust in the judiciary.

As President Mahama weighs his decision, the nation watches closely. The outcome will not only shape Ghana’s justice system for decades to come but will also test the strength of the country’s democratic institutions and the principle of constitutional checks and balances.

Here are the top headline stories from the front pages of Ghanaian newspapers on Monday, July 20, 2026

1. Tribunals Bill Controversy — “Don’t Sign!”

The dominant story across virtually all newspapers.

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is urging President John Dramani Mahama to refrain from signing the Tribunals Bill into law. Critics, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and opposition NPP figures, argue the bill could “weaponise justice delivery” and resurrect “PNDC-era ghosts.” Bawumia is calling for broader stakeholder consultations before any signing.

Featured in: The Informer, The Source, The Canary, The New Publisher, The Custodian, The Chronicle, Daily Guide, Daily Gist

2. NPP National First Vice Chairman Race Heats Up

Multiple contenders have officially declared their bids for the position:

• Henry Nana Boakye (“Nana B”) — Former Akuapem North MCE and national youth organizer, has declared his bid, promising unity and victory in 2028.
• Richard Ahiagbah — The NPP Director of Communications, has also joined the race.
• Asanteman COKA (Chairman Odeneko Kwaku Appiah) — Has declared his bid to reclaim the Ashanti Region for the party.
• Paul Afoko — Outlines an economic restoration strategy and insists the NPP must regain the trust of the business community.

Featured in: The Informer, The Source, Supreme, The Canary, The National, The New Publisher, The Custodian, The New Crusading Guide, Daily Guide

3. Adu-Boahene Trial — Attorney General Admits Lack of Evidence

Major setback for the prosecution.

The Attorney General has admitted in court that he lacks critical evidence in the GH¢49.1 million case against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s deputy, Kwabena Adu-Boahene. This development has been described as a major blow to the state’s case. Hanan, another defendant in a related case, has moved to strike out charges against him.

Featured in: The Source, Supreme, The National, The Chronicle, The New Crusading Guide, Daily Guide

4. GoldBod Achieves Record Gold Purchases

Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) announced that the state-owned agency has purchased 54 tonnes of gold in the first six months of 2026, with exports valued at $16.11 billion over 17 months. This success has reportedly inspired a Zambian delegation on wealth management.

Featured in: The National, The Ghanaian Publisher, The Chronicle, Daily Guide

5. Ofori-Atta Extradition & US Court Ruling

Ken Ofori-Atta has been told to “come back home to face justice,” while a U.S. court has reportedly granted permanent residency, complicating the state’s extradition efforts.

Featured in: The Informer, The Ghanaian Publisher, Daily Guide

6. NPP Must Regain Business Trust — Afoko

Paul Afoko, an NPP National Chairmanship hopeful, is urging the party to rebuild trust with the business community through a “New Prosperity Agenda.” He argues the party must court businesses to return to power in 2028.

Featured in: Supreme, The Statesman, The New Publisher, The Custodian, Daily Guide

7. COKA Urges “Movement” to Return to NPP

Asanteman COKA has urged members of the “Movement” (a breakaway faction of the NPP) to return to the NPP, declaring “You can’t fight NPP and win, come back home.”

Featured in: The New Crusading Guide

8. Other Notable Stories

• Mataheko Demolitions: Reports of massive demolitions at Mataheko, allegedly carried out by “fake” family heads and imposters aided by National Security operatives without court orders (Supreme).
• TikToker Jailed & Beaten: A jailed TikToker, Camilla Alhassan, was reportedly beaten and forced to plead guilty (Daily Gist).
• MMDAs Spend More to Collect Revenue: A Daily Graphic investigation reveals that MMDAs spent GH¢22.4 million to collect just GH¢10.26 million in internally generated funds between 2021-2025.
• Spain Wins FIFA World Cup: Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy (Daily Gist).
• TOR Receives 1 Million Locally Produced Crude: TOR has taken delivery of 1 million barrels of locally produced crude oil (The Canary).