General News of 2026-10-15
Kofi Bentil weighs in on political considerations in next Chief Justice choice
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has said political considerations may influence the selection of Ghana’s next Chief Justice, arguing that presidents are likely to consider candidates they feel comfortable working with.
Speaking on the impending appointment on JoyNews' PM Express on October 14, 2026, he said political leanings often play a role in high-level appointments, although Ghana tends to present judicial officers as people without political preferences.
Bentil cited the United States as an example, noting that some judges are elected and that organised groups monitor lawyers from the early stages of their careers.
He argued that political considerations are not always concealed in other jurisdictions, unlike Ghana, where the political dimensions of judicial appointments are rarely openly acknowledged.
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“In some places, such as the United States, some judges are elected, and there are groups that monitor lawyers from the early stages of their careers. They play a role in matters relating to the US Supreme Court. They do not shy away from the political realities of the judicial system. In Ghana, however, we pretend that people do not have political leanings,” he remarked.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie is expected to retire in December 2026, bringing renewed attention to the considerations that may shape the selection of his successor.
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