Mahama nominates Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice
President John Mahama has nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of Ghana following the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 23, by Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu. According to the Presidency, the nomination was made in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
His name has been forwarded to the Council of State for consideration as the Chief Justice 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,” the statement noted. It added that his “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence” and “unwavering commitment to justice” made him eminently qualified for the position.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had been serving as Acting Chief Justice following the suspension and subsequent removal of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. As the most senior among the nine remaining justices of the Supreme Court, his appointment was in line with judicial succession.
Born on December 26, 1956, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie brings more than three decades of distinguished service to Ghana’s judiciary. His career reflects versatility and dedication across the legal and public service sectors.
Before joining the Supreme Court in 2008, he served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, a High Court Judge, and a Circuit Court Judge. Prior to his judicial career, he worked as Principal Inspector of Taxes and Head of Legal for the Eastern and Volta Regions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
An alumnus of Konongo-Odumase Secondary School, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie studied law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, laying the foundation for his long and impactful career.
Within the judiciary, he is respected for his expertise in constitutional law, taxation, prison administration, election law, and legal education. He has been instrumental in judicial reforms and continues to champion ethical practice and professional development.
Currently, he chairs several key bodies within the Judicial Service, including the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, the Election Management Committee, and the Finance Committee. He has also represented Ghana at numerous international judicial conferences and capacity-building programmes.
