President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to officially swear in Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice of Ghana today, Monday, November 17, 2025, at a ceremony at the Presidency, marking the culmination of a contentious nomination process.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, 68, was first nominated by President Mahama on September 23, 2025, with the President praising his “wealth of experience and long service on the Bench,” which spans over three decades across the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
He has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, whose removal has sparked legal challenges alleging unconstitutionality.
During his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, a product of Konongo Odumase Secondary School, the University of Ghana, and the Ghana Law School—where he was called to the Bar in 1983—vowed to lead with an “open-door, bipartisan” approach.
He emphasized his dedication to bolstering judicial independence, enhancing access to justice, and upholding integrity, responding to queries with what observers described as “professionalism, clarity, intellectual rigour, and judicial integrity.”
The vetting session was marked by tension, including a confrontation between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who labeled the nominee a “disputed Chief Justice nominee.”
The Minority Caucus boycotted parts of the process, citing legal and political concerns, but this did not derail the outcome.
Parliament approved the nomination on November 13, 2025, via a headcount vote of 163 in favor and 69 against, in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Appointments Committee’s report, moved by Chairman Bernard Ahiafor, recommended approval by majority decision.
Born on December 26, 1956, in Goaso, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is married to Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, the current head of the Ghana Prisons Service.
His elevation replaces Justice Torkornoo, whose tenure ended amid controversy, and positions him as one of the longest-serving Supreme Court justices.