Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has boldly declared that Ghana’s judiciary must not serve the powerful at the expense of the weak.
According to CJ Baffoe Bonnie, the judiciary must remain independent, impartial, and accessible.
He highlighted that the judiciary must protect the vulnerable and resist undue influence.
CJ Baffoe Bonnie emphasised that the judiciary must serve all citizens fairly, rather than catering to the powerful or connected.
Speaking at his swearing-in as Chief Justice on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Jubilee House in Accra, Baffoe-Bonnie stated, “Our judiciary must be independent, impartial, and accessible. It must not serve the powerful or the connected at the expense of the weak and the vulnerable. It must resist any incursions on its freedoms but also embrace accountability, transparency, and continuous reform”.
The Chief Justice also vowed to uphold the rule of law and respect the separation of powers in his new role.
He added, “Mr President, in accepting this office, 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.”
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.
Hours after President Mahama received the committee reports, Chief Justice Torkornoo was sacked with immediate effect.
A statement from the presidency stated, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect”.
“This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
“Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the Committee’s recommendation,” the statement concluded.