One of the exciting things surrounding the nomination of Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Chief Justice (CJ), according to lawyer Martin Kpebu, is his independent judgment as a member of the bench.
He says the Acting CJ, who has been nominated by President Mahama for the substantive role, has dispensed justice independently since his appointment to the apex court.
The legal practitioner believes that, despite the perception that the CJ nominee is aligned with the ideologies and philosophies of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) due to how he was appointed to the superior courts, he dispenses justice with utmost independence.
“Baffoe-Bonnie has shown that independence of judgement.”
Commenting on Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination as Chief Justice on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Mr. Kpebu said the endorsement is a testament to President Mahama’s commitment to recognising merit and independence in the judiciary.
He cited his judgement on the 2012 presidential election petition where Baffoe-Bonnie voted against Akufo-Addo in a critical decision that was decided by a slim majority of 5-4, ruling that votes could be counted even without the signature of a Presiding Officer (PO), despite his perceived affiliation to the NPP.
He explained further that President Akufo-Addo “really ostracised” the Acting CJ when he became President, pressing upon him to resign amid the intimidation, due to how he voted on the election petition without being influenced by how he was appointed to the apex court.
“Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been punished and punished over and over by [former] President Akufo-Addo because in the election 2012 petition, Baffoe-Bonnie, even though he was a Kufuor appointee, voted for President Mahama on the critical issue of whether without the signature of a Presiding Officer, the votes could be counted, taking into consideration, those polling stations where the Presiding Officers didn’t sign,” he alleged.
Kpebu highlighted how “extremely critical” that vote was, considering the slim 5-4 margin won by President Mahama. He said the NPP had factored Baffoe-Bonnie into their calculations, given the perception that an NPP administration appointed him, and therefore, he was perceived as subscribing to the ideology and philosophy of the party.
“So, when Akufo-Addo came into office, he really ostracised Baffoe-Bonnie. Baffoe-Bonnie was hounded left, right, centre. They told him to resign, get out of that office but somehow he survived it,” he explained.
Biography of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie
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.
