Legal practitioner Martin Luther Kpebu, has expressed optimism in Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie’s ability to manage his colleagues on the Supreme Court bench if confirmed as head of Ghana’s judiciary.
Mr. Kpebu, who had advocated for Baffoe-Bonnie to be made the substantive CJ following the removal of Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, believes his experience on the bench will guide his management of his counterparts.
According to him, one of the challenges that affected Madam Torkornoo’s leadership was the fact that she was appointed above many of her seniors but failed to manage them well as Chief Justice.
His comments stem from the nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been Acting CJ since the departure of Gertrude Torkornoo, by President John Dramani Mahama for the substantive role.
This was announced in a statement issued by Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
“President John Dramani Mahama has in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forwarded the name of His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to the Council of State for consideration as Chief Justice of the Republic 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.”
Commenting on his nomination on TV3’s Ghana Tonight the same day, Mr. Kpebu, the renowned lawyer, indicated that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment is fitting because he is the most senior person on Ghana’s bench, expressing optimism that he will manage his colleagues properly to avoid the challenges that characterised former CJ Torkornoo’s administration.
“You look at seniority. Even though it’s not part of the petitions, one of the issues with the appointment of Justice Torkornoo was that, she had a lot of seniors ahead of her at the Supreme Court and all of these were bypassed and she was appointed. She was down in terms of seniority,” he stated.
He explained further that “that appointment per se wasn’t a problem, but you could see that subsequently, in relationships on the bench, you could see there were cracks. There is a way you have to manage the seniors, that management wasn’t forthcoming.”
“So, I’m hoping that with Baffoe-Bonnie being the seniormost, at least he’s done more years on the Supreme Court bench, so that experience will reflect on how he’ll manage his colleagues,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, the presidency, in announcing Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination, acknowledged the significant contributions he has made to Ghana’s judiciary, expressing confidence in his ability to lead that arm of government in deepening the nation’s democracy.
“He has made invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence. He has earned the esteem of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity for his intellect, impartiality, and unwavering commitment to justice.
“His wealth of experience and long service on the Bench render him eminently qualified for the high office of Chief Justice. His Lordship has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since 22nd April 2025.”
Biography
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is a seasoned Ghanaian jurist with an extensive legal career spanning over three decades. Born on December 26, 1956, he has had a distinguished career serving in various capacities across Ghana’s judicial system, culminating in his appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana seventeen years ago in 2008 – a position he still holds.
Judicial Experience
– Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana (2008 – present)
– Justice of the Court of Appeal and High Court
– Circuit Court Judge
Pre-Judicial Career
Before joining the Bench in 1992, he worked as:
– Principal Inspector of Taxes, and Head of Legal – Eastern and Volta Regions at the IRS
– Deputy Superintendent of Prisons and Head of Legal at the Prisons Service Headquarters
Education
– University of Ghana
– Ghana School of Law
– Konongo-Odumase Secondary School (O’ and A’ level certificates)
Key Roles and Expertise
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is an influential figure in legal education and judicial reform. He:
– Chairs the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council
– Chairs the Election Management Committee of the Judicial Service
– Chairs the Finance Committee of the Judicial Service
– Has expertise in constitutional law, judicial ethics, taxation, prison administration, election law, and legal education
International Involvement
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has participated in global conferences and capacity-building initiatives, contributing to international judicial cooperation.
Leadership and Values
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is known for his excellent leadership skills, dedication to judicial excellence, and commitment to upholding the rule of law in Ghana. He is renowned for his integrity, commitment to justice, and leadership in judicial reforms. He is a mentor to many within the judiciary and an advocate for continuous professional development and ethical practice.
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