President Mahama Nominates Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice

President Mahama Nominates Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to be the next Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

The nomination was forwarded to the Council of State for consideration in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution.Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, was described in the presidency’s statement as a jurist who has “served with diligence and integrity” and who has made “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.” The presidency said he has earned the respect of the Bench, the Bar, and the wider legal fraternity for his intellect, impartiality, and commitment to justice.

Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie was born on 26 December 1956 in Goaso (Ahafo Region). He rose through the lower courts as a circuit and high court judge, was appointed an appeals court judge in 2006 and elevated to the Supreme Court in June 2008. Over a judicial career spanning decades, he has participated in several high-profile cases and has served in senior administrative roles on the Bench.

The nomination comes against the backdrop of the suspension and subsequent removal process involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo earlier this year, a development that placed the office in acting hands and set the stage for a permanent appointment. President Mahama acted after consultations noted in official statements and has followed the constitutional route by transmitting the nomination to the Council of State.

The Council of State will consider the nomination and advise the President, and the established constitutional steps for confirmation will follow. If the Council returns a positive recommendation, the President will proceed with the formal appointment process as required by law.