President Mahama Nominates Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as New Chief Justice

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

In a press statement issued and signed by the Minister for Government Communication, Mr. Felix Ofosu Kwakye, the President formally submitted Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s name to the Council of State for consideration.

The statement noted that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has “throughout his distinguished judicial career, served with diligence and integrity at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently, the Supreme Court,” and has made “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.”

It further highlighted that he has earned the respect of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity for his “intellect, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Biography of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was born on 26 December 1956. He attended St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon, where he obtained his LLB degree..

He was subsequently called to the Ghana Bar in 1983 after completing his professional training at the Ghana School of Law.

He began his legal career in private practice before joining the Bench.

In 2002, he was appointed a Justice of the High Court, where he presided over several landmark cases, particularly in constitutional and human rights law.

His steady rise saw him appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2006, where he gained recognition for his rigorous legal reasoning and clarity of judgments.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2008, by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Over the past two decades, he has participated in several high-profile rulings that have shaped Ghana’s democratic and legal landscape, including election petition cases, constitutional interpretation matters, and significant commercial disputes.

He also served as a member of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), contributing to continental jurisprudence on human rights and governance.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is widely respected as a jurist of principle, with a reputation for fairness, humility, and a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law.

If approved by parliament and subsequently sworn in, he will become the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana, bringing to the office over three decades of judicial experience.