President Mahama set to appoint Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie as Chief Justice – Report

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to formally appoint Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, barring any last-minute changes, according to The Law Platform's report.

According to the report, Justice Baffoe Bonnie will assume the position following the suspension and subsequent removal of the former Chief Justice, a decision made by the President based on recommendations from the Justice Pwamang Committee of Inquiry.

Currently, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Baffoe Bonnie, has served on the bench since 2004.

He notably presided over the panel of the Apex Court that heard a series of injunction applications challenging the work of the Pwamang Committee.

Since assuming office in an acting capacity, Justice Baffoe Bonnie has overseen several administrative reforms within the judiciary.

These include staffing changes at the Supreme Court Registry, a leadership shake-up at the Ghana School of Law, and restructuring of cashier banking operations at the Registry.

Once vetted and sworn in, Justice Baffoe Bonnie is expected to continue implementing reforms already planned under his stewardship, ushering in a new phase of judicial administration in Ghana.

President John Dramani Mahama, on September 1, 2025, removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo from office.

In a statement issued by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Monday, September 1, 2025, it was announced that her dismissal, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, takes immediate effect.

Who becomes Ghana's next Chief Justice?

“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect,” the statement said.

The statement added that the Pwamang Committee, established to probe petitions seeking her removal, found grounds of misbehaviour in the petitions and therefore recommended her dismissal.

"This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.

"Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the Committee's recommendation," the statement concluded.

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