Parliament Approves Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as New Chief Justice

Parliament has officially approved the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s new Chief Justice, following a heated vetting process and intense debate over the Appointments Committee’s report.

The approval, which took place on Thursday, November 13, saw 163 members of the Majority side voting in favour, while the Minority recorded 69 votes against his nomination.

During the debate, the Majority Caucus strongly backed Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment, describing him as a seasoned and competent jurist whose vast experience on the Supreme Court bench makes him well-suited to lead the judiciary.

However, members of the Minority Caucus opposed the approval, citing concerns about ongoing cases before the court that they believe could create potential conflicts of interest or raise questions about impartiality.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has served on the Supreme Court since 2008, is among Ghana’s longest-serving justices and has played key roles in several landmark decisions that have shaped the country’s legal landscape.

His appointment is widely seen as a move to ensure stability and continuity within the judiciary, particularly at a time when Ghana faces critical constitutional and governance challenges.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is expected to be sworn into office in the coming days by President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House.