President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghana’s judiciary to prioritize justice for the vulnerable while maintaining public trust, during the investiture of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the country’s new Chief Justice at Jubilee House on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Highlighting the courts’ role in protecting the marginalized, President Mahama said the judiciary must serve “the vulnerable, the poor, the marginalized, children, persons with disability, and all those who feel powerless in the face of authority or abuse.”
He urged the Chief Justice to ensure that justice is fair and equitable, cautioning that it must never be “tilted in favor of the wealthy or powerful.”
The President also stressed the importance of collaboration among the three arms of government, noting that “the judiciary needs an enabling legal framework, adequate budgetary allocation, and supportive policies,” while reminding that the executive and legislature require “timely and impartial judicial interpretations of the law and the Constitution.”
Addressing Justice Baffoe-Bonnie directly, he emphasized the human impact of judicial work, saying, “Every file that lies on your desk and every case in our courts represents human lives, families, and people’s futures. If you discharge your duties faithfully, posterity will remember you, not just as a Chief Justice, but as a Chief Justice who made a significant difference.”
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie officially assumes the role of Ghana’s 16th Chief Justice, following Parliament’s approval of his nomination on November 13, 2025.
He had been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, taking over after the suspension and dismissal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
His appointment was backed by 163 MPs, despite 69 votes against, with some minority legislators raising concerns over elements of his judicial record.
