In the wake of the sudden suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Mahama, all eyes have turned to the man tapped to temporarily fill her shoes—Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie, the longest-serving judge currently on the Supreme Court bench.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s elevation to the role of Acting Chief Justice marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s judicial history, one fraught with constitutional, political, and institutional implications.
It is not clear if Baffoe-Bonnie will eventually elevated to the substantive chief justice if the suspended chief justice if found guilty of the charges leveled against her.
But who is the man heading the Judiciary
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was called to the Bar in 1981 and has spent more than four decades in Ghana’s judicial service.
His early days were spent as a Circuit Court judge in Kumasi before rising to serve as a High Court judge in Duayaw Nkwanta in then Brong Ahafo Region.
He was later promoted to the Court of Appeal and, in 2008, appointed to the Supreme Court by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Over the years, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been part of several high-profile cases, the most notable being the 2012 election petition, where he sat on the Supreme Court panel that ruled against the New Patriotic Party’s call to annul nearly four million votes.
The decision cemented his standing as one of the most experienced—and, at times, controversial—legal minds on the bench.
Political and Family Ties
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s name is not unfamiliar in political circles.
He is the brother of the late Sainti Baffoe-Bonnie, a prominent figure within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the founder of Radio Gold, a media outlet known for its alignment with NDC viewpoints.
Adding to the family’s public profile, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s wife, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, was recently appointed as the acting Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, another significant appointment under President Mahama’s administration.
His brother, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie was jailed for causing financial loss in the National Communications Authority, NCA, $4million case by the previous administration.
These connections have led to some murmurs about political favoritism, particularly in the wake of Chief Justice Torkornoo’s controversial suspension.
Nonetheless, the presidency has maintained that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment is based purely on merit and seniority.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s rise comes as a result of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who was appointed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023.
President Mahama announced her suspension on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after determining that a prima facie case had been established against her, based on three separate petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
The Constitution of Ghana, under Article 146(6), mandates that once a prima facie case is determined, a committee must be established to investigate the matter, during which the Chief Justice must step aside.
The five-member investigative body formed to probe the allegations is chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang of the Supreme Court. Other members include:
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu – Supreme Court
Daniel Yaw Domelevo – Former Auditor-General
Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo – Ghana Armed Forces
Professor James Sefah Dzisah – University of Ghana
Legal Community Responds
The announcement of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Acting Chief Justice has received mixed reactions from the legal community and the public.
While many acknowledge his vast experience, others have expressed concerns about the political optics surrounding his appointment and the suspension of his predecessor.
Former Council of State member and senior lawyer Sam Okudzeto has warned that the handling of the suspension sets a “dangerous precedent” and risks turning judicial accountability into a political weapon.
Still, others, including legal scholars, maintain that the President is operating within his constitutional limits.
What Lies Ahead
As Acting Chief Justice, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie will not only lead the Supreme Court but also oversee critical judicial reforms and supervise upcoming cases of national interest.
His role, though temporary for now, places him at the center of Ghana’s legal system at a particularly tense and pivotal moment.
Whether he will eventually be confirmed as the substantive Chief Justice remains to be seen.
For now, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie steps into the role at a time when the judiciary’s independence and public trust hang in the balance.
–BY Issah Olegor
