By: Ibrahim Issah]
Ghana’s legislature voted Thursday to confirm Supreme Court Justice Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie as the country’s next Chief Justice. After a voice vote on the Appointments Committee’s report, Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the motion carried, a decision that was later backed by a head‑count of 163 MPs in favour versus 69 opposed.
The committee, chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, praised Baffoe‑Bonnie’s “outstanding competence, deep understanding of the law, and firm grasp of judicial ethics”. Attorney‑General Dominic Ayine defended the nomination, saying the judiciary needs “an experienced and steady hand” and that the appointment breaches no constitutional provision.
Minority MPs, led by Samuel Awuku, walked out of the vetting on Monday and demanded a secret ballot, arguing the process should be paused pending legal challenges over former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s removal. Their protest was overridden when the majority secured the head‑count.
Justice Baffoe‑Bonnie, 68, was called to the Ghana Bar in 1983 and has served on the Supreme Court since 2008. He is expected to be sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama in the coming days, pending any further court rulings.
The confirmation comes just ahead of the 2026 budget presentation, setting the stage for a busy parliamentary session focused on both fiscal and judicial reforms.
