Ghana’s Parliament has confirmed Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice of the Republic.
The approval follows a contentious vetting process that captured national attention and saw significant division within the legislature.
On Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his vetting. However, the process was far from smooth.
The Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a walkout, citing unresolved court cases surrounding the controversial removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as their primary concern. The Minority MPs described the entire nomination process as unconstitutional, accusing the government of political maneuvering to secure a favorable candidate.
Despite these objections, the Majority side of Parliament proceeded with the nomination process, and by Thursday, November 13, a majority vote saw Justice Baffoe-Bonnie officially approved as the next Chief Justice of Ghana.
During the final approval session, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, presented the Appointments Committee’s report, which praised Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s exceptional competence, integrity, and long-standing service to the judiciary. According to Ahiafor, Baffoe-Bonnie’s distinguished record in law made him a fitting choice for the high office.
The approval was not without its challenges. While the Majority side voted overwhelmingly in favor of the nomination, the Minority MPs demanded a head count following the voice vote. The final tally showed a clear split: 169 MPs from the Majority side voted in favor, while 63 from the Minority side rejected the nomination.
