Mahama nominates Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to be Chief Justice

President John Mahama has nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of Ghana, following the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 23, by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President.

According to the Presidency, the nomination was made in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

His name has been forwarded to the Council of State for consideration as the Chief Justice of Ghana.

“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,” the statement noted. It added that his “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence” and “unwavering commitment to justice” made him eminently qualified for the position.

Following the suspension and subsequent removal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice. As the most senior among the nine remaining justices of the Supreme Court, his appointment was consistent with judicial succession.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was born on December 26, 1956, and has brought over three decades of distinguished service to Ghana’s judiciary. His career demonstrates versatility and dedication across the legal and public service sectors. Prior to joining the Supreme Court in 2008, he held positions as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, a High Court Judge, and a Circuit Court Judge.

Before his judicial career, he worked as Principal Inspector of Taxes and Head of Legal for the Eastern and Volta Regions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Having graduated from Konongo-Odumase Secondary School, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie went on to study law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, establishing a strong foundation for his illustrious career.

He is highly regarded within the judiciary for his specialized knowledge in constitutional law, taxation, prison administration, election law, and legal education.

As a key proponent of judicial reforms, he remains committed to promoting ethical conduct and professional growth. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie currently presides over several crucial committees within the Judicial Service, including the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, the Election Management Committee, and the Finance Committee.

Additionally, he has represented Ghana at various international judicial conferences and capacity-building initiatives.