Justice Baffoe-Bonnie nominated as CJ

President Mahama nominates Acting CJ for top judicial role

President John Mahama has formally nominated Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to serve as Ghana’s next Chief Justice. The announcement was made through a statement from the Presidency, which confirmed that the President has written to the Council of State seeking its advice in line with constitutional procedure.

The nomination comes at a time when the judiciary faces a leadership vacuum following the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.

A career marked by integrity and judicial excellence

In its statement, the Presidency praised Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as a jurist who has “served with diligence and integrity,” highlighting his “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.”

He is widely respected within the legal community, both for his intellect and impartiality. His decades of service on the Bench and his deep understanding of legal principles have earned him admiration from peers across the judiciary, the Bar, and academia.

From the Ashanti Region to the Supreme Court

Born on 26 December 1956, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie began his academic journey in Goaso and later attended Konongo Odumase Secondary School, where he completed his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates. He went on to study law at the University of Ghana and was called to the Bar in 1983 after graduating from the Ghana Law School.

His judicial career began at the Circuit Court level in Kumasi, followed by postings to the High Court in Duayaw Nkwanta and then the Court of Appeal. In 2008, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor.

A transitional leader in turbulent times

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 2025, following the suspension and eventual removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Her dismissal, based on stated misbehaviour, was the result of investigations by a constitutional committee formed under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

As the most senior justice on the Supreme Court, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was the natural choice to assume the acting role — a position he has held with composure and firm leadership during a delicate period for the judiciary.

Next steps: Council of State and Parliamentary approval

If the Council of State endorses the President’s nomination, the process will move to Parliament, where Justice Baffoe-Bonnie will be vetted and, if approved, confirmed as the substantive Chief Justice of Ghana.

His confirmation would mark the beginning of a new chapter for the country’s judiciary, placing him at the helm of an institution in need of steady leadership and renewed public confidence.