‘Governments change but the constitution must endure’ - CJ Baffoe-Bonnie cautions GBA

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has cautioned the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) against allowing itself to be perceived as an appendage of any government or political party, stressing the need for the association to preserve its independence and credibility. The Chief Justice made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by the former president of the Ghana Bar Association, Anthony Forson Jnr, at the Annual General Conference on September 14, 2026. ‎He said the GBA’s strength lies in its commitment to the law, constitutionalism and justice for all, rather than political interests. ‎“The GBA must jealously guard its long-standing nature as the conscience of the legal profession and not allow itself to be perceived as an appendage of any government in power or any political party. Your strength lies in fidelity to the law, constitutionalism, and justice for all.” ‎The Chief Justice warned that the association’s public statements and interventions must be guided by principle and consistency, cautioning that perceived political bias could damage public confidence in the institution. ‎“When the vast public statements, timing of interventions, or selective silence create the impression of partisanship, it erodes public trust, weakens its moral authority to hold power to account, and divides its own membership along partisan lines. The GBA must thus speak with principled consistency and ensure its leadership and communities reflect the collective ethos of the bar, not the political preferences of the day.” ‎He added that the association must remain committed to protecting constitutional democracy regardless of changes in political leadership. ‎“Governments change, parties change, judges retire, lawyers grow old, but the constitution must endure and the bar must remain one of its vigilant guardians.” ‎The Chief Justice also reminded lawyers that their responsibility goes beyond earning a living from the profession, describing the law as a shield against arbitrary power and stressing every person is entitled to its protection. ‎“We are taught that the law is a shield against arbitrary power. We are taught that every person, however poor, however unpopular, however powerless, is entitled to the protection of the law. We must therefore never become so comfortable that we forget those who are not.” ‎He also urged lawyers to remain advocates for the vulnerable and powerless people, particularly when they find themselves confronting powerful individuals or institutions. ‎‎“When the vulnerable stand before the powerful, the lawyer must stand with the vulnerable. When the poor cannot afford the language of power, the lawyer must lend them the language of the law. When institutions become too powerful to hear the individual, the lawyer must remain, remind them that power in a constitutional democracy is never without limits. This is not activism. That is the calling.” ‎He said the GBA must continue to serve as a voice of reason when public passions are high and a voice of conscience when convenience becomes tempting while remaining a trusted guardian of constitutionalism and justice.Source: classfmonline.com
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