A video circulating widely on social media captures a light-hearted exchange between former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, in which the two referenced the Chief Justice’s recent involvement in public controversy.
In the video shared by Asaase Radio 99.5 on Monday, September 14, 2026, Akufo-Addo is heard referring to the judicial head as “the Chief Justice embroiled in controversy,” prompting Baffoe-Bonnie to reply, “the embattled Chief Justice.”
The brief interaction, filmed at a public gathering, shows the former president engaging with the Chief Justice amid a crowd of attendees and security personnel.
The exchange comes against the backdrop of criticism directed at Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie following remarks he made during visits to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) earlier in September.
In those comments, he questioned institutional performance “in the past eight years,” a reference widely interpreted as directed at the previous administration led by Akufo-Addo.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some commentators called for a retraction or resignation, arguing the statements crossed into political territory and compromised the appearance of judicial impartiality.
The Chief Justice has faced both defence and further scrutiny in the days since. Traditional leaders and others have argued that commenting on public institutions does not inherently constitute partisanship, while the Ghana Bar Association conference around the same period featured discussion of the remarks.
Baffoe-Bonnie assumed the role of Chief Justice following the removal of his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo, in September 2025 after an Article 146 process.
Watch the lighthearted moment below.
Video: The conversation that transpired between the former president and the CJ. Former President Akufo-Addo: “The Chief Justice embroiled in controversy!” Chief Justice: “The embattled Chief Justice!” pic.twitter.com/jdgmEcpGkx
— Asaase 99.5 (@asaaseradio995) September 14, 2026 VKB/BAI “I’m a Single Mother, I Sell Pure Water to Care for Him” – Woman Cries Over Son’s School Placement Source: www.ghanaweb.com