Mahama nominates Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for appointment as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

The nomination, made in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, has been referred to the Council of State for consideration. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following the suspension of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.

According to a statement from the Presidency, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has had a distinguished judicial career, serving at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently at the Supreme Court. He is credited with making significant contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence and is widely respected for his intellect, impartiality, and commitment to justice.

The nomination comes after President Mahama, acting on the recommendation of a committee established under Article 146, removed Justice Torkornoo from office on September 1, 2025, for stated misbehavior. Her removal marked the first time a sitting Chief Justice had been dismissed under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

The statement announcing the nomination was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.

President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo following the establishment of a prima facie case in response to three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.

The decision, in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and taken in consultation with the Council of State, was announced on Tuesday, April 22. It marks a significant moment in Ghana’s judicial history, as the country’s top judge now faces a formal inquiry into her conduct.

Meanwhile, the National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has described the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) claims on the suspension of the Chief Justice as “mischievous, ridiculous, and disgraceful.”

Speaking on Joy FM, Gyamfi emphasized that while the GBA has the right to express its opinions on matters of public interest, it is not the only institution entitled to hold views.

According to Gyamfi, the GBA’s stance on the President’s suspension of the Chief Justice lacks legal basis and is driven by partisan interests.

“When he says that the GBA is entitled to express his opinions on matters of public interest as it deems fit, but what he fails to acknowledge is that the GBA is not the only institution entitled to express an opinion, and that when they express their opinion, we are also entitled to express an opinion on their opinion,” he said.