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 heading Ghana's Judiciary, whose recent remarks comparing state institutions' performance across administrations drew criticism over judicial neutrality.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… Defence counsel for both Hanan Abdul-Wahab and Kwabena Adu-Boahene had petitioned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, arguing that the directive departs from established court practice and is inconsistent with the Constitution. …
Accra High court halts Buffer Stock trial pending Supreme Court ruling on vacation sittingsJoy Online
… Other speakers expected to participate include the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine; President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama; and legal scholar …
Ghana Law Society announces maiden annual Bar conference for September 30Joy Online
… The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) appealed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to ensure that judges uphold the established rules and traditions governing Ghana’s legal vacation, particularly in cases where lawyers have indicated that they are unavailable to appear in court. …
‘It should have been negotiated’ – Dafeamekpor on lawyers’ dispute with CJ over vacation hearingsJoy Online
… His comments come amid growing debate over a directive by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for selected high-profile criminal cases to continue during the legal vacation. …
Why ORAL cases? – Former Deputy AG quizzes over seeming selectivity in legal vacation hearingsJoy Online
… The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) appealed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to ensure that judges uphold the established rules and traditions governing Ghana’s legal vacation, particularly in cases where lawyers have indicated that they are unavailable to appear in court. …
Legal vacation: Ayikoi Otoo says compelling lawyers to appear in court is unfairJoy Online
… Mr Dame had earlier written to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie objecting to the decision to proceed with the trial during the vacation. …
‘My lawyer is ill and in and out of hospital’- Hanan explains Dame’s absence from courtJoy Online
… The Association has appealed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to ensure that established practices governing the legal vacation are respected. …
Kpebu urges GBA, judges to negotiate solution to legal vacation disputeJoy Online
… Her comments come after the GBA wrote to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie on Monday, August 10, raising concerns about directives requiring lawyers to appear before vacation courts despite having notified the courts of their unavailability. …
GBA should not undermine Chief Justice’s authority over courts – Joyce Bawah MogtariJoy Online
… In a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 12, Ms Mogtari said she found it difficult not to perceive “ulterior motives” in the GBA’s letter to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, suggesting that the association’s position could be viewed as an affront to the administrative authority …
‘Difficult not to read ulterior motives’ into GBA’s letter to Chief Justice – Joyce Bawah MogtariThe Chronicle
… Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, CJ In a letter to the Judiciary, signed by GBA President Efua Ghartey, the association said three law firms had reported receiving notices arising from warrants directing certain judges to continue hearing cases despite the legal vacation. …
GBA Takes On Judiciary Over Hearing Of High-Profile Cases During VacationThe 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 →
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 →
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 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 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The Ghana Bar Association has condemned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for comments praising state-owned enterprises and comparing their output to that of a previous government, saying his remarks were inappropriate given his judicial position.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →
More than 100 District Courts across Ghana's 16 regions are reportedly operating without magistrates, causing prolonged delays in case hearings. A judge disclosed that some affected courts have gone more than eight months without regular sittings, while 134 applicants shortlisted for magistrate appointments await presidential approval since June 2026.
11 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
President John Dramani Mahama swore in three new Supreme Court judges—Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and Justice Tony Forson—and urged them to let the Constitution guide their decisions and remain unmoved by public pressures or political interests.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Three newly inaugurated Supreme Court Judges—Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Edward Amoako Asante, and Tony Forson—were sworn in by President Mahama at the Presidency. Justice Essah assured on behalf of the judges that they would be independent enough to decide according to law, interpreting and applying it faithfully, impartially, and courageously.
11 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has faced scrutiny following comments comparing the performance of state institutions under the current administration with the previous eight years, drawing criticism from the opposition NPP and civil society over concerns about judicial neutrality. The Judicial Service clarified that the observations were made in good faith and were not intended to undermine judicial independence.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference said there was nothing improper about Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie visiting public institutions and commending improvements, but expressed concern that his reference to "the past eight years" during visits to SSNIT and MIIF could be interpreted as a political comparison between administrations.
7 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
International corporate lawyer Vicky Bright has described calls for Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to resign over recent comments on state institutions as "a little bit excessive," noting that while his remarks raise legitimate concerns about judicial restraint and appearance of bias, they do not automatically constitute misconduct warranting removal.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's call for Ghanaians to support national development efforts, characterizing attempts to frame his remarks as partisan as "mischievous, hypocritical and unpatriotic." She stated the Chief Justice was encouraging support for a development agenda, not campaigning for any political party ahead of the 2028 general election.
7 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to avoid comparing successive governments' records when commenting on public institutions, saying his reference to the "past eight years" during September 2 visits to SSNIT and MIIF could be seen as a political comparison that risks weakening confidence in judicial impartiality.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has rejected calls for Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's resignation over political remarks made during visits to public institutions, though it acknowledged that his reference to "the past eight years" could reasonably be understood as partisan and damage the appearance of judicial impartiality.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has cautioned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie against public remarks that could create doubts about the political neutrality of the Judiciary. The Bishops said the Chief Justice's reference to "the past eight years" during visits to SSNIT and MIIF on September 2, 2026 could reasonably be understood in a political context and took on the character of a partisan judgment, though the Judicial Service later clarified the remarks were made in good faith.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has advised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to stop commenting on political matters that could come before the courts, warning that such statements risk creating perceptions of judicial bias and undermining public confidence in the court's neutrality.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has called on Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to refrain from publicly commenting on political matters that could later become the subject of litigation, warning that such pronouncements risk creating a perception of judicial bias. Domelevo said that holders of sensitive constitutional offices, particularly in the Judiciary, must exercise caution in public statements to protect the courts' neutrality and independence.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Janet Nabla, a People's National Party flagbearer hopeful, has criticised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for extensive public appearances at events involving NDC members, saying such engagements raise questions about the judiciary's perceived political neutrality.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
CDD-Ghana's Director of Programmes says the Chief Justice's recent comparison of state institutions' performance under the current administration was ill-advised, and warns the Judiciary must be more sensitive in public engagement to protect public confidence in justice delivery.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Bernard Tutu-Boahene has called on Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to retract and apologise for remarks he made during visits to the Minerals Income Investment Fund and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust on 2 September, arguing that the Bangalore Principles governing judicial conduct require impartiality and propriety. Tutu-Boahene said such observations should have been kept private given the Chief Justice's office, though he acknowledged the Chief Justice is entitled to share his views as a Ghanaian citizen.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie made an observation during a visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund, wondering what Ghana had been doing "in the past eight years," a comment that drew political attention. The remark has been interpreted by the opposition as a critique of the Akufo-Addo administration's record, highlighting how even neutral statements become politically charged in Ghana's context.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy said Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie does not need ethical laws to recognise that his recent comments about state-owned institutions were inappropriate, and questioned whether the CJ is worthy of office if he does. The Chief Justice had praised SSNIT and MIIF performance during visits on September 2, questioning what Ghana had accomplished over the previous eight years.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Political activist Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy has urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to stop touring state-owned enterprises and redirect his efforts toward addressing challenges within Ghana's Judiciary, saying such tours and remarks about SOE performance fall outside the proper scope of the judicial leader's role.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Political activist Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy has called on Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to apologise for comments made during visits to state-owned enterprises, saying the remarks were beneath his office's dignity and risked creating the impression of taking a political position. The Chief Justice faced criticism after praising the Minerals Income Investment Fund and other public institutions during recent visits, questioning what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Judicial Service reaffirmed Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's commitment to judicial independence after public criticism of remarks he made during outreach visits to SSNIT and MIIF, where he praised improvements in their operations and questioned Ghana's performance over the previous eight years.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Judicial Service clarified that Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's recent comments about state-owned enterprises during visits to SSNIT and MIIF were made in good faith and not intended to undermine judicial independence, following mixed public reaction to his observations.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's state-owned enterprises swung from a GH¢2.2 billion loss in 2024 to a GH¢19.8 billion net profit in 2025, attributed to higher revenues, lower finance costs and improved foreign-exchange performance. President Mahama has dissolved the governing boards of nine major state institutions including BOST, VALCO, CBG, GNPC, Ghana Post, TDC and the National Sports Authority.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →