Prez Mahama Nominates Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice

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

Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the nomination on Tuesday, September 23, noting that it was made in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s name has been forwarded to the Council of State for consideration.

“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 read, citing his “invaluable contributions to Ghanaian jurisprudence” and “unwavering commitment to justice.”

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since the suspension and subsequent removal of Justice Torkornoo. As the most senior of the nine remaining Supreme Court justices, his nomination follows established judicial succession practices.

Born on December 26, 1956, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie boasts over three decades of judicial service. He joined the Supreme Court in 2008 after serving on the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the Circuit Court. 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).

An alumnus of Konongo-Odumase Secondary School, he studied law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, building a reputation for expertise in constitutional law, taxation, election law, prison administration, and legal education.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie currently chairs several key bodies within the Judicial Service, including the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, the Election Management Committee, and the Finance Committee. He has also represented Ghana at numerous international judicial conferences, contributing to global legal discourse and reforms.