BY Issah Olegor
The attendance of Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, at the final funeral rites of Andrews Kwame Amankwah, the late father-in-law of Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, has ignited widespread public debate over judicial independence, political optics, and the standards by which public office holders are judged in Ghana.
The funeral, held in Kumasi on Saturday, May 30, 2026, attracted an array of high-profile personalities from across the political, security, and social landscape.
Among those present were First Lady Lordina Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, senior National Democratic Congress (NDC) figures, security chiefs including the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, traditional leaders, members of the media, and hundreds of mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased.
However, it was the presence of the Chief Justice that became the focal point of intense discussion on social media and political platforms.
Critics argued that the attendance of the country’s highest judicial officer at the family event of a prominent governing party figure risked creating perceptions of undue closeness between the judiciary and partisan political actors.
Although no evidence of impropriety has been suggested, commentators maintained that public confidence in the courts depends not only on actual impartiality but also on the appearance of neutrality.
The controversy has been amplified by the political history surrounding Sammy Gyamfi, a leading NDC communicator who, prior to assuming his current role as CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, had on several occasions publicly criticized elements of Ghana’s judicial system and the Ghana Bar Association.
Some critics questioned whether the Chief Justice’s attendance at such a personal event could fuel perceptions of inconsistency, particularly given previous tensions between sections of the judiciary and political actors.
The debate has also drawn comparisons with the treatment of former Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, whose tenure was frequently subjected to allegations of political bias despite a lack of public evidence linking her to partisan political activities.
Some social media users argued that if Justice Torkornoo had attended a similar family event involving a high-ranking official associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the public backlash would likely have been more severe.
Others have framed the controversy within a broader discussion about gender and leadership in Ghanaian politics.
According to these commentators, female leaders often face more intense scrutiny than their male counterparts, with actions deemed acceptable for men frequently attracting harsher criticism when undertaken by women.
The funeral controversy has therefore become intertwined with wider conversations about gender bias, public accountability, and the unequal standards applied to political and judicial leaders.
The funeral itself was primarily intended to celebrate the life and legacy of Andrews Kwame Amankwah, a respected farmer and community figure remembered for his generosity, humility, and commitment to helping others.
Family members paid emotional tributes, describing him as a mentor, protector, and source of wisdom whose influence shaped generations of relatives and community members.
In their tribute, his children recalled his unwavering support for family and strangers alike, highlighting his contributions to widows, children’s homes, prisons, and vulnerable members of society. They described him as a man whose acts of kindness were often carried out quietly without expectation of recognition.
Amankwah was also celebrated for his achievements in agriculture. During his lifetime, he earned recognition as a Metro Best Farmer and was widely respected for promoting hard work, discipline, and opportunity among young people who worked alongside him on his farms.
His death earlier this year shocked many Ghanaians.
He reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained during a violent robbery attack at Ohwim Tigo Junction in the Ashanti Region.
The incident generated national concern and renewed discussions about security and violent crime.
Subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of suspects, who are currently standing trial before the courts.
