Sunday, 1 November 2026

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Sunday, 1 November 2026

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Ghanaian press · Person

Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Also known as: Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie · Justice Baffoe-Bonnie · My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie · Mr Baffoe-Bonnie · Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Chief Justice preparing to retire in December 2026, who has called for judiciary-academia collaboration and urged newly qualified lawyers to verify facts and avoid digital misinformation.

2026-04-262026-11-01

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
22 OctDaily Guide
Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie and other dignitaries at the book launch The Chief Justice (CJ), Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called for stronger collaboration between the judiciary and legal academia, highlighting that scholarly examination of court judgments is important to strengthen j …
CJ Calls For Stronger Judicial Accountability, Legal Scholarship
16 OctJoy Online
The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has designated the Achimota Court to handle cases involving the diversion of petroleum products, in a move aimed at strengthening the prosecution of offenders in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector. …
Achimota Court designated to handle petroleum diversion cases – NPA CEO
15 OctJoy Online
… It’s a really wild stretch, but impossible is not the word to use there.” His comments come as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire later this year, creating the need for a successor. …
Chief Justice appointment from outside Supreme Court possible but unlikely – Bentil
15 OctJoy Online
… They are all really fit.” His comments come as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire later this year, creating the need for a successor. …
‘There can be no mistake, regardless of who is picked’ – Bentil on CJ contenders
15 OctJoy Online
… JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, he said the next head of the judiciary should command broad acceptance among judges, lawyers and the public. “I think the best thing would be someone who projects confidence in the judiciary.” His comments come as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie …
Ghana needs a Chief Justice who inspires public confidence – Bentil
14 OctJoy Online
… The succession question comes as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie approaches retirement later this year. …
Picking Chief Justices nearing retirement could give Mahama immense power – Bentil
14 OctJoy Online
… n determine who gets the nod when the candidates are all qualified. “Competence is always important, but even in corporate life, above a certain level, the boss will pick somebody with sufficient competence and great loyalty.” His comments come as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie …
Loyalty can outweigh competence in Chief Justice selection – Bentil
14 OctDaily Guide
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie The Judicial Service has directed registrars and court clerks to promptly notify lawyers and litigants whenever a court is unable to sit, following concerns over the financial hardship, inconvenience and frustration caused by late communication of …
Judicial Service Introduces Mandatory Adjournments Notifications
12 OctJoy Online
… The minister thanked the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and the Judicial Secretary for involving narcotics enforcement officials in presentations to newly appointed judges, explaining the challenges confronting the authorities. …
84 suspected drug offenders in custody as NACOC freezes nearly 73 assets – Muntaka
10 OctJoy Online
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged 1,568 newly qualified lawyers to verify information before expressing opinions, warning against the dangers of misinformation and hasty public commentary. …
Don’t let speed of information become your judgement – CJ tells new lawyers

Politics

CJ urges stronger judiciary and legal academia collaboration

The News

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called for stronger collaboration between the judiciary and legal academia, stating that scholarly examination of court judgments is important to strengthen judicial accountability and the rule of law. Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Supreme Court Review and University of Ghana School of Law Book Series, he encouraged scholars and practitioners to approach judicial decisions with intellectual honesty and said court rulings must remain open to academic scrutiny.

22 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Thursday 22 October

CJ urges stronger judiciary and legal academia collaboration
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called for stronger collaboration between the judiciary and legal academia, stating that scholarly examination of court judgments is important to strengthen judicial accountability and the rule of law. Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Supreme Court Review and University of Ghana School of Law Book Series, he encouraged scholars and practitioners to approach judicial decisions with intellectual honesty and said court rulings must remain open to academic scrutiny.
22 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Friday 16 October

Chief Justice designates Achimota Court for petroleum diversion cases
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has designated the Achimota Court to handle cases involving the diversion of petroleum products, according to National Petroleum Authority CEO Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe. Offenders convicted under relevant regulations face fines of 2,500 to 5,000 penalty units, imprisonment of two to five years, or both.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 15 October

Chief Justice appointment from outside Court possible but unlikely
Lawyer Kofi Bentil says appointing a Chief Justice from outside the Supreme Court is technically possible but would be an unprecedented departure from established practice. He argues that the ideal successor to retiring Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie should command confidence across the legal profession and public, though he acknowledges that political considerations and presidential preference will influence the decision.
15 October 2026 · Joy Online →
CJ contenders all highly qualified, says IMANI's Bentil
Lawyer Kofi Bentil says all candidates for Chief Justice are extremely competent and fit for the role, though the President will likely pick someone with whom he feels comfortable. Bentil added that the appointment will influence public confidence in the judiciary as Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire.
15 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's next Chief Justice must command broad public confidence
Lawyer Kofi Bentil says Ghana needs a Chief Justice appointment that will inspire public confidence in the judiciary, with broad acceptance among judges, lawyers and the public, as current Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire later this year.
15 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 14 October

Appointing near-retirement judges could give Mahama successive appointments
Lawyer Kofi Bentil said that if President Mahama appoints Chief Justices close to retirement, it could allow him to choose multiple successive heads of the judiciary and grant him immense power. Bentil noted this as a theoretical possibility rather than a claim about the President's intentions, emphasising that while competence matters, factors like loyalty may also play a role in judicial appointments.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer says loyalty can outweigh competence in Chief Justice choice
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of Imani Africa, argues that while professional ability remains important, political considerations and the President's comfort with a candidate can determine who becomes Chief Justice when all candidates are qualified. His comments come as current Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie prepares to retire in December 2026.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Judicial Service mandates prompt adjournment notifications to lawyers, litigants
The Judicial Service has directed court registrars and clerks to promptly notify lawyers and litigants whenever a court is unable to sit, aiming to prevent unnecessary trips, expenses, and wasted time caused by late communication of adjournments.
14 October 2026 · Daily Guide →

Monday 12 October

Interior Minister reports 84 drug suspects in custody, 73 assets frozen
Interior Minister Mubarak Muntaka said 84 people are in custody facing narcotics charges and nearly 73 suspected assets linked to individuals under investigation have been frozen. He credited the judiciary and Attorney-General's Department for reforms supporting drug prosecution and asset recovery.
12 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 10 October

Chief Justice urges 1,568 new lawyers to verify facts before speaking
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has warned 1,568 newly qualified lawyers called to the Bar not to let the speed of information become their judgment, urging them to verify facts, exercise restraint, and uphold professional ethics and integrity in an era of rapid digital misinformation.
10 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 9 October

Chief Justice urges workplaces to remove mental health stigma
Ghana's Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called on employers and public institutions to prioritise mental well-being by creating work environments where people can seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination. He stressed that stigma forces people with mental health challenges to hide their struggles, and that mental health conversations must recognize the lived experiences of those affected to shape better policies and support systems.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice urges supportive workplaces to combat mental health stigma
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called on employers to create inclusive and supportive working environments to help address stigma around mental health conditions, stressing the need for compassionate healthcare services and institutional policies that prioritise mental well-being and allow employees to seek support without fear of judgment.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Samuel George, Armah-Kofi Buah among 1,568 newly qualified lawyers
Two government ministers and other Members of Parliament, including Samuel Nartey George and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, were among 1,568 lawyers admitted to the Ghana Bar at a ceremony by the General Legal Council in Accra on Friday, October 9, 2026. Other newly qualified MPs include Davis Ansah Opoku and Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, alongside several media personalities including JoyNews journalist Ayisha Ibrahim.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice calls for mental health support in workplaces
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged employers and public institutions to establish supportive workplace environments where people experiencing mental health challenges can seek help without fear of stigma, discrimination or exclusion, and to introduce policies that prioritise staff welfare and make professional mental healthcare more accessible.
9 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 5 October

Chief Justice urges focus on strengthening justice foundations
At the opening of the 69th Legal Year, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie urged the Judiciary to strengthen the foundations of justice rather than merely introducing reforms, stating that true reforms must endure beyond the moment they are announced.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice urges judiciary to strengthen justice foundations
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged the Judiciary to focus on strengthening the foundations of justice rather than merely introducing reforms, saying the true test of every reform is whether it endures beyond the moment. Public confidence in the Judiciary, he said, cannot be secured by the Constitution and the law alone but must be earned through everyday experiences.
5 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 3 October

Anglican Bishop urges legal leaders to prioritise righteousness and moral integrity
The Anglican Bishop of Accra Diocese challenged Ghana's legal fraternity to prioritise righteousness, courage and service, stating that the justice system needed leaders guided by moral integrity and the fear of God, not just legal knowledge. He noted that Ghana's justice system faced challenges including case delays, protracted land disputes, and perceptions that justice was more accessible to the wealthy.
3 October 2026 · The Chronicle →

Thursday 1 October

NPP argues judges must surrender personal freedoms for office
The New Patriotic Party has argued that judges cannot enjoy the full range of personal freedoms available to ordinary citizens once they assume judicial office, saying the demands of the position require a higher degree of restraint in matters of public conduct. The party's position follows comments by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie that judicial officers should not lose their humanity because of the demands of their positions.
1 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice calls for work-life balance for judges
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called for a healthier balance between the professional responsibilities and personal lives of judges and magistrates, stressing that judicial officers must not lose sight of their humanity while remaining diligent and responsive to litigants.
1 October 2026 · The Chronicle →

Wednesday 30 September

Chief Justice defends remarks on SOE performance amid partisan criticism
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has acknowledged recent difficulty balancing judicial office with personal relationships and social responsibilities, saying judges must not abandon their humanity despite their positions. His comments respond to criticism of remarks he made about the performance of state-owned enterprises under the current NDC administration and the previous NPP government, which prompted the NPP to call for his retraction or resignation.
30 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 21 September

Ghana Law Society announces inaugural Bar Conference for September 2026
The Ghana Law Society has set September 30, 2026, for its maiden Annual Bar Conference under the theme "Legal Reforms: The Place of the Ghanaian Lawyer." The event will bring together legal practitioners, judges, policymakers, and other stakeholders to deliberate on policy gaps and important legal and national interest matters.
21 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie chairs new CLET board
The Council for Legal Education and Training has unveiled an 11-member Board chaired by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, comprising senior judiciary members, government officials, and academics from leading law schools and tertiary institutions. CLET oversees legal education and professional training in Ghana, including administration of the Ghana School of Law.
21 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 18 September

NPP member defends GBA President's right to comment on judiciary
An NPP Communication Team member has defended the Ghana Bar Association President's right to comment on issues relating to the judiciary and perception of partisanship, saying that questioning the Chief Justice's political remarks is necessary to preserve public confidence in the institution.
18 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 15 September

GBA urges Judiciary and Executive to respect constitutional limits
The Ghana Bar Association has called on the Judiciary and Executive to operate within the 1992 Constitution's limits, with its President raising concerns about comments attributed to the Chief Justice and reports that some judges may be serving Executive interests rather than the Constitution.
15 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 14 September

GBA denies selective criticism, says it holds all governments accountable
The Ghana Bar Association's Deputy General Secretary Saviour Kudze rejected accusations of selective criticism of political actors, saying the GBA is a professional body that consistently speaks out on issues regardless of which government is in power and does not align with any political party.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy AG questions GBA leadership's independence and consistency
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has questioned the independence and consistency of the Ghana Bar Association's leadership in response to comments made by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, arguing that independence and consistency must be demonstrated through actions rather than claimed.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy AG says GBA applies double standards to Chief Justice criticism
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has accused the Ghana Bar Association of selective criticism over Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's recent remarks about state institutions, arguing the GBA's response is inconsistent with how it treated similar comments by previous Chief Justices. Dr Srem-Sai contended that if the GBA opposes political comments by Chief Justices, it should condemn all such remarks consistently rather than selectively depending on political circumstances.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
GBA President criticises Chief Justice over praise for state institutions
The Ghana Bar Association President has criticised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for commending state-owned enterprises including SSNIT and MIIF during recent visits, with the GBA President suggesting his comments raised concerns about impartiality. The Judicial Service stated the observations were made in good faith and did not intend to undermine judicial independence, though civil society groups and faith-based organisations have expressed concerns.
14 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
GBA President criticizes Chief Justice's remarks on state-owned enterprises
Ghana Bar Association President Efua Ghartey expressed disappointment with remarks attributed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie concerning state-owned enterprises, saying they raised concerns among legal professionals. She also criticized the Judicial Service's response as inadequate, while emphasizing the Bar's commitment to judicial independence within constitutional limits.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
GBA President criticizes Judicial Service's defence of Chief Justice
Ghana Bar Association President Efua Ghartey has described the Judicial Service's defence of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie over his partisan comments as "at best lacklustre," arguing that judges must remain within constitutional boundaries and that the Chief Justice's remarks comparing public institutions' performance under different administrations left much to be desired.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →