The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah, has commended Justice Paul Barffour Bonnie for his rich judicial experience and outstanding character, describing him as the most suitable candidate for the position of Chief Justice.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahimiah said she had the privilege of sitting through the entire vetting process and was convinced that Justice Barffour Bonnie “worked his way up with dedication and integrity,” making him the best fit for the role at this time.
She praised his 17 years of service on the Supreme Court, noting that his vast experience and deep understanding of the law place Ghana’s judiciary in “very safe hands.” “Even at home, we all believe that experience is the best teacher. After 17 years at the Supreme Court, Justice Barffour Bonnie has proven that the judiciary is in safe hands,” she emphasized.
As a strong advocate for women’s leadership, Hon. Ibrahimiah also celebrated Ghana’s past female Chief Justices — Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002 and later as Chief Justice in 2007, and Justice Sophia Akuffo, who served for 22 years at the Supreme Court before becoming Chief Justice in 2017. She highlighted their remarkable contributions to the country’s judicial system.
Recalling her experience as a member of the Appointments Committee during the vetting of Her Ladyship Gertrude Esaaba Araba Torkornoo, she mentioned asking about the five attributes of a good Chief Justice, to which only one was provided — an experience that underscored the uniqueness of each nominee’s leadership perspective.
Hon. Ibrahimiah further quoted Justice Barffour Bonnie’s powerful statement during the vetting: “The Constitution of Ghana entrusts the Chief Justice with a dual responsibility — to adjudicate cases with fairness and to safeguard the credibility and moral authority of justice itself.”
She described him as a man of humility and strong moral values, recalling how he once left his job at the Prison Service to marry his wife, Mrs. Barffour Bonnie — a gesture she said reflected his genuine character and humanity.
