By: Ibrahim Issah ]
Monday 17 Nov 2025 – In a ceremony that filled the Jubilee House with dignitaries, President John Dramani Mahama formally installed Justice Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie as the country’s Chief Justice today. The swearing‑in follows Parliament’s decisive approval on 13 Nov, when 163 MPs backed his nomination and 69 voted against.
Baffoe‑Bonnie has served on the High Court (1993), Court of Appeal (2005) and Supreme Court (2008), authoring 87 majority opinions, many on land and electoral matters.
He has been Acting Chief Justice since 22 Apr 2025 after the suspension and dismissal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The 163‑to‑69 margin reflects a clear majority, despite a Minority push for a secret ballot.
During his vetting on 10 Nov, Baffoe‑Bonnie pledged an open‑door, bipartisan leadership style, vowing to strengthen judicial independence, expand access to justice, and speed up case disposition. He also dismissed any notion that politics influenced his nomination, emphasizing merit and long service.
President Mahama lauded Baffoe‑Bonnie’s “extensive experience and deep legal scholarship,” urging him to prioritize an independent judiciary and accelerated case handling. He reassured the nation that the judiciary would receive full government support to implement reforms.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice President, members of the Council of State, the Attorney‑General, parliamentary leaders, the full Supreme Court bench, and Baffoe‑Bonnie’s family.
As Ghana looks ahead, the new Chief Justice is expected to steer the third arm of government through a period of institutional reform, aiming for a more efficient, transparent, and accessible justice system.
