President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forwarded the name of His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to the Council of State for consideration as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
If he gets the approval of the Council, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination would be forwarded to Parliament for consideration and approval or otherwise.
Article 144(1) stipulates that “The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President, acting in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament”.
A statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, throughout his distinguished judicial career, has served with diligence and integrity at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently, the Supreme Court.
“He has made invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.
“He has earned the esteem of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity for his intellect, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice,” the statement stressed.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s wealth of experience and long service on the Bench, the statement said, render him “eminently qualified for the high office of Chief Justice”.
His Lordship Baffoe-Bonnie, 68, was appointed a Justice of the Apex Court in June 2008 by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He earlier served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal between November 26, 2006 and June 2008.
The senior most at the Supreme Court Bench, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025 following the suspension of then Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Asaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Born on December 26, 1956, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had his basic education at Goaso before continuing to Konongo Odumase Secondary School, where he obtained both his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates.
He studied law at the University of Ghana and later at the Ghana Law School, where he was called to the Bar in 1983.
He rose through the ranks of the judiciary, serving as a Circuit Court Judge in Kumasi, a High Court Judge at Duayaw Nkwanta, and later as an Appeals Court Judge before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
In 2013, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie voted alongside three Supreme Court Judges to uphold that President John Dramani Mahama was validly elected, having won the December 7, 2012 general election.
If his nomination is approved, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie will officially take over as head of the Judiciary, steering the institution at a crucial time following the dramatic removal of his predecessor.
The Council of State is expected to advise the President in the coming days, after which Parliament will take up the nomination for vetting and approval.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI & MALIK SULLEMANA
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