Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in charge of Finance and Investment, Anatu Anne Seidu Bogobiri Esq., has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie against criticism over comments he made in support of President John Dramani Mahama’s development agenda.
Ms. Bogobiri described attempts to portray the Chief Justice’s remarks as partisan political commentary as “mischievous, hypocritical and unpatriotic.”
In a statement, she argued that there was nothing wrong with the Chief Justice’s call for Ghanaians to support the President’s agenda, stressing that President Mahama was President of the Republic of Ghana and not only the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
She cited remarks attributed to the Chief Justice in which he said: “Pres. Mahama’s agenda is one that will benefit Ghana. We should do everything to ensure that he succeeds.”
According to Ms. Bogobiri, the success of the President’s agenda would ultimately benefit the country as a whole, including supporters of opposition parties.
She argued that initiatives aimed at resetting the economy, fighting corruption and creating jobs should receive support from citizens regardless of their political affiliations.
Miss Bogobiri further maintained that the Chief Justice had a constitutional right to express opinions on matters of national interest.
She stressed that the Chief Justice did not call on Ghanaians to vote for the NDC or campaign for the party’s victory in the 2028 elections.
Instead, she said, his comments were directed towards nation-building and encouraging citizens to support policies he believes could benefit Ghana.
According to her, the judicial oath requires judges to remain impartial in matters before the courts but does not prevent them from expressing views on national development outside the courtroom.
She argued that the Chief Justice made the comments in the context of nation-building rather than while exercising his judicial functions from the bench.
Ms. Bogobiri also accused critics of applying different standards to the Chief Justice and suggested that similar statements made during previous administrations had not attracted the same level of criticism.
She called for what she described as an end to political double standards in discussions about the Judiciary and national development.
Ms. Bogobiri maintained that President Mahama’s “reset agenda” was intended to benefit Ghana and said the Chief Justice, as an eminent citizen and statesman, was entitled to encourage collective efforts towards national development.
She concluded by urging Ghanaians to put the national interest first, stressing the importance of “Ghana first.”
