Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has revealed his plans for Ghana’s justice system.
According to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, he envisions a judicial system where justice is neither delayed nor denied.
Speaking at his swearing-in as Chief Justice on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Jubilee House in Accra, Baffoe-Bonnie stated, “I give my solemn word that I will uphold the rule of law, respect the separation of powers, and protect the Constitution”.
“I will respect the independence of every judge and ensure that the judiciary remains free from improper influence. I will also insist on accountability because independence without responsibility risks entitlement and erosion of public trust.
Our judiciary must be independent, impartial, and accessible. It must not serve the powerful or the connected at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. It must resist any incursions on its freedoms but also embrace accountability, transparency, and continuous reform,” he said.
He added, “Every litigant who enters a courtroom brings not only a case but also hope that justice will be done. I accept the responsibility of preserving that hope,”
“The future of the bar is the future of the bench. Working with the General Legal Council, the Ghana School of Law, and law faculties, we shall pursue a model that ensures opportunity without compromising quality”.
“My vision for the judiciary is that of a service-oriented institution, with courts that are efficient, transparent, and respectful of all persons; judges and staff who uphold high ethical standards, treat litigants with dignity, and apply the law without fear or favour. A judiciary that works not for political ends but for the cause of justice,” he noted.
President Mahama, on Monday, November 17, 2025, officially swore in Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice of Ghana.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie fully assumed the responsibility as Chief Justice, tasked with leading Ghana’s judiciary and preserving the integrity of the judicial system.
Mahama, during the swearing-in ceremony, reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
He stated, “The strength of our democracy depends on the delicate yet essential balance of powers among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. Today as President, I pledge my unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary”.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, was appointed by President Mahama to act as Chief Justice during the investigation process of sacked CJ Torkornoo.
He is now confirmed as the substantive head of the judiciary after he was nominated by John Mahama.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was appointed to the Supreme Court in June 2008 by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor and is among the most senior justices of the apex court.
His appointment follows President John Mahama sacking the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect after he received a first report from the five-member committee he constituted to investigate three petitions brought against the Chief Justice.
