President Mahama has sworn-in the new Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
The ceremony was held at the seat of the Presidency on Monday, November 17, 2025 where the newly sworn-in Chief Justice was administered the Judicial Oath, Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Secrecy.
President Mahama also presented the instrument of appointment to the new Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
Delivering his speech at the ceremony, the President said urged the new Chief Justice to collaborate with the Judicial Council and the Bar to prioritise the reduction of case backlogs through innovative case management systems.
The President further called for the expansion and modernization of court infrastructure especially in under-served districts and encouraged the use of technology, e-filing, virtual hearings where appropriate and digital recordings to improve efficiency and also simplify procedures especially for small claims, family matters, juvenile and labour matters so that ordinary citizens are not excluded by technicality.
He pledged government’s commitment to provide adequate resources to aid justice delivery in the country.
“As government, we recognize our responsibility to provide adequate resources to support these reforms. We will work with your office to ensure the Judiciary is adequately equipped to deliver justice in a modern and efficient manner,” he stated.
President Mahama also assured of Judicial independence under his government.
“And so, today, as President I pledge my unwavering commitment to the independence of the Judiciary and I wish to say that an independent judiciary is not a safeguard to the courts, it is a constitutional necessity and a protection for every citizen including the President. We must therefore jealously safeguard the institutional, financial and administrative autonomy of our courts,” he said.
The President stressed that he strength of Ghana’s democracy depends on “essential balance of powers among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Each branch is supposed to operate independently and yet they have to collaborate in order to serve the common good.”
“I am confident that under your leadership, my Lord, Chief Justice, the Judiciary will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate without fear or favour and as you said in your oath without affection or ill will,” the President added.
President Mahama highlighted to the new Chief Justice four key areas which must be urgently addressed upon his assumption of office.
“My Lord, Chief Justice one of your most urgent task is to strengthen integrity within the Judiciary and this includes firstly, firm but fair disciplinary standards for Judges and staff.
Secondly, transparent and predictable procedures for case assignment and managements. Thirdly, strong internal mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct and fourth a culture where ethical conduct is rewarded and wrongdoing is swiftly sanctioned,” he stated.
President Mahama noted that Ghanaians must know and feel that Justice in Ghana is not for sale and that no one regardless of their power and status is too powerful or too humble to be held accountable under the law.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie became acting Chief Justice in April after the suspension of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who is still litigating her removal as the head of the Judiciary.
Parliament, through a head count, approved the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana on Thursday, November 13. 163 members of the Majority were counted, while the Minority recorded 69 members.
“I urge the nominee to take all that has been happening, from the nomination to the approval, into consideration in his tenure of office,” the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, said after the approval on Thursday.
Prior to the head count, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had pushed for a secret ballot for the approval or otherwise. He argued that some members of the Majority had issues with Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination and wanted to express their views in a secret ballot.
“We leave everything to posterity, everything we witness is for posterity…we are going to demand a secret ballot to vote on this [approval of Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination]. We know there are members on their side who have their own views and want to express them when there is a secret ballot,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin further stated that the Minority could not support the nomination because the prima facie case against the former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, remains unpublished by the government.
“As we speak, the prima facie case against Torkornoo hasn’t been published. The fact that the recommendation that gave rise to the president’s actions is not public is of concern to us…The fact that there appears to be some rights violations of Gertrude Torkornoo means we in the Minority are unable to support this nomination.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, acknowledged the task ahead, which he described as “marked by public skepticism, institutional fatigue, and a growing demand for justice.”
Source:Fiilafmonline/3News
