Parliament has officially confirmed Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s new Chief Justice, bringing to a close days of intense debate and scrutiny over his nomination.
The confirmation followed the presentation of a report by the Appointments Committee, chaired by Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, which described Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as an “exceptionally competent and principled jurist.” Parliament subsequently held a decisive vote, with 163 Majority members and 69 Minority members endorsing his appointment—signifying strong bipartisan confidence in his leadership of the judiciary.
However, the vetting process was not without controversy. Some Members of Parliament from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) staged a walkout in protest following remarks by Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, a moment that laid bare the deep political undercurrents surrounding the proceedings. Despite this, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s overwhelming endorsement underscores Parliament’s trust in his integrity, professionalism, and vast judicial experience.
Born on December 26, 1956, in Goaso in the Ahafo Region, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has built a distinguished legal career spanning more than three decades. He studied law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, and was called to the Bar in 1983. His judicial career began as a Circuit Court Judge in 1993, progressing through the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately to the Supreme Court in 2008.
He served as Acting Chief Justice from April 2025, following the suspension of his predecessor, before receiving a formal nomination from President John Dramani Mahama in September.
Beyond the courtroom, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has contributed significantly to Ghana’s democratic evolution. He was part of the Supreme Court panel that adjudicated the 2012 Presidential Election Petition and played a central role in the 2016 landmark ruling compelling the Electoral Commission to reinstate disqualified candidates—decisions that fortified Ghana’s electoral and judicial integrity.
Renowned as a quiet reformer, he has chaired the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council and led the Finance Committee of the Judicial Council, spearheading reforms that improved judicial governance, accountability, and the administration of justice.
Outside his professional life, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is married to Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service. He is widely admired for his calm temperament, humility, love of football, and unwavering adherence to judicial ethics.
With his confirmation, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie assumes the office of Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana with a reputation for diligence, fairness, and deep institutional insight. His appointment represents both continuity and renewal for Ghana’s judiciary—affirming that steady, principled leadership remains indispensable in the nation’s enduring quest for justice and democratic consolidation.
Source: Parliament of Ghana | Compiled by zaaghana.com
