Supporting Mahama’s agenda is patriotism, not partisan politics – NHIA DCEO defends Baffoe-Bonnie

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Anatu Anne Seidu Bogobiri Esq, has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie against criticism over his call for support for President John Dramani Mahama’s development agenda.

Madam Bogobiri says the Chief Justice’s remarks were made in the context of national development and should not be construed as partisan political activity.

Her comments follow remarks by Baffoe-Bonnie during a visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, where he urged the institution’s management to work towards the success of the President’s agenda.

“If the old man has decided that you are the right person to be in this position out of the 30 million people, it means he has a lot of confidence in you. And so we should do everything to make sure that his agenda succeeds,” he said.

The comments have sparked a debate over the political neutrality of the head of the Judiciary, with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) questioning whether such remarks are consistent with the constitutional role of the Chief Justice.

Mad. Bogobiri, in a statement however, argues that expressing an opinion on a matter of national interest does not amount to partisan politics.

“The 1992 Constitution guarantees every Ghanaian, including Justices of the Superior Courts, the right to hold opinions on matters of national interest,” she said.

“Calling for collective support for a national development agenda is not partisan politics; it is patriotism.”

She also rejected suggestions that Baffoe-Bonnie’s comments compromise his judicial responsibilities, noting that he was not speaking while presiding over a case.

“Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was not speaking from the bench. He was, as a statesman, encouraging citizens to support a development agenda he believes will benefit Ghana. That is leadership, not party politics. We should be commending him, not condemning him,” Bogobiri said.

Mad. Bogobiri further drew a comparison with former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, who publicly supported the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme in 2018 under the Akufo-Addo administration.

She said Akuffo’s call for support for the policy demonstrates that Chief Justices have previously commented positively on government programmes without such remarks being treated as partisan.

“If it was nation-building when Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo called for support for Free SHS, then it is also nation-building when Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie calls for support for President Mahama’s reset agenda that seeks to benefit all Ghanaians,” she said.

“The standard must be the same. The President’s success is Ghana’s success. Ghana first.”