President John Dramani Mahama has urged the newly sworn-in Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to lead the Judiciary with courage and guard its independence jealously, reminding him that the expectations of Ghanaians remain very high.
The President administered the oaths of office to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie at the Jubilee House on Monday, November 17, 2025, following Parliament’s approval of his nomination four days earlier.
In a post on his official X page shortly after the ceremony, President Mahama stressed the weight of the new Chief Justice’s responsibility.
“Remember, my Lord Chief Justice, that you stand at the intersection of law, history, and service. The expectations of our people are high, but so too is their hope,” the President wrote.
He advised Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to lead with courage even when decisions are difficult or unpopular, to protect the institutional integrity and independence of the Judiciary, and to always remember that every case represents human lives, families, and futures.
“You must, therefore, lead with courage, even when decisions are difficult or unpopular; guard jealously the institutional integrity and independence of the Judiciary and always remember that every file on your desk and every case in your courts represent human lives, families, and futures,” the president wrote.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension and removal of his predecessor, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in April 2025.
Parliament approved his nomination on Thursday, November 13, through a head-count vote that recorded 163 Majority members in support and 69 Minority members against.
The Minority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had insisted on a secret ballot and ultimately opposed the nomination, citing the government’s failure to publish the prima facie case against Justice Torkornoo and the existence of seven pending court cases – including one at the ECOWAS Court – challenging her removal.
Despite the objections, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, told Parliament that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie demonstrated outstanding competence, deep legal knowledge, and a firm grasp of judicial ethics during his vetting on November 10.
Appearing before the committee, the new Chief Justice acknowledged public skepticism and institutional fatigue but outlined an ambitious reform agenda.
He promised to restore public confidence through procedural clarity and predictable timelines, greater efficiency using technology and performance dashboards, and a commitment to open justice through appropriate case streaming, public summaries, and structured communication. He emphasised that access to justice must never depend on connections or status.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie pledged to leave the Judiciary stronger and more transparent than he found it, stating that the bench must not only interpret the law but also elevate the nation’s conscience.