JUSTICE Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has assumed office as the ninth Chief Justice of the Fourth Republic.
He was sworn into office by President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra yesterday at a ceremony attended by Justices of the Superior Courts, his family, friends, lawmakers and senior government officials.
His nomination was affirmed in Parliament on Thursday by a 163 to 69 votes, after the Minority walked out of his vetting. He, until yesterday, has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025.
Swearing in Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, President Mahama said he must embody the principles of equality, fairness, freedom, probity and accountability as enshrined by the 1992 Constitution.
The strength of Ghana’s democracy, President Mahama said, depended on the delicate, yet essential balance of power between the three arms of government – Executive, Legislature and Judiciary – working independently but collaboratively to serve the common good of Ghanaians.
“As President, I pledge my unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary,” President Mahama assured.
“An independent judiciary is not a favour to the courts. It is a constitutional necessity and a protection for every citizen including the President,” he added.
He charged Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to execute his mandate without fear or favour.
With growing apathy in public institutions, President Mahama said the judiciary must live above reproach because one single act of corruption by a judicial officer could undermine years of hard work and erode public confidence in the entire system.
“My Lord Chief Justice, one of your most urgent task is to strengthen integrity within the judiciary,” President Mahama charged.
These measures, he said, must include fair but firm disciplinary standards within the service, transparent and predictable procedure for case assignment and management, strong internal mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct and a culture where ethical conduct is rewarded and wrongdoing swiftly sanctioned.
Speaking after his investiture, Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who succeeds the sacked Gertrude Torkornoo, said he would uphold the rule of law, respect the principle of separation of powers and defend the constitution of Ghana.
According to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the judiciary has a sacred responsibility to ensure that the rights, liberties and dignity of everyone living in Ghana were respected and protected irrespective of their social standing.
“Our judiciary must be independent, impartial and accessible. It must not serve the powerful or the connected at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. It must resist any incursions on its freedoms but also embrace accountability and transparency,” he stated.
Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted the frustration of Ghanaians at the legal systems with regard to delays and perception of fairness; concerns he wished to confront head-on.
“The judiciary must not only be seen to be fair. It must be fair. Clearing backlogs, reforming processes, promoting alternative dispute resolution, where necessary, harnessing technology, and ensuring that citizens can approach the court with confidence… they are imperatives,” he emphasised.
His vision for the judiciary, he said, was that of a service-oriented institution where not the law alone matters but how the law is applied, how justice is dispensed, and how the courts earn the respect of the people.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said his would be to ensure that the courts were efficient, transparent, and respectful of all persons, judges uphold ethical standards and treat litigants with dignity and apply the law without fear or favour.
“I envision a Ghana where justice is not delayed or denied, where distance and complexity of going to court are no longer barriers to fairness. I envision judges who are independent, yet humble, fearless, yet fair. I envision a system where alternative mechanisms of dispute resolution complement the formal courts and relieve the strain of backlogs,” he postulated.
He assured of his administration’s commitment to advancing the infrastructural base of the courts and continuous training for the staff of the judicial service to ensure effective justice administration.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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