President John Dramani Mahama has nominated the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, as the substantive head of Ghana’s judiciary following the dismissal of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office after a Committee of Inquiry, established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, found her guilty of abusing her powers in a petition filed by Daniel Ofori. The President subsequently signed her dismissal warrant.
In a letter dated September 23 and signed by the Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidency confirmed that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s nomination was made in line with Article 144 (1) of the Constitution. The letter, which has been forwarded to the Council of State for advice, described the judge as an accomplished jurist with decades of service across all levels of the judiciary.
“His long career, traversing the High Court, Appeals Court, and Supreme Court, makes him a very viable candidate for elevation to the high office of Chief Justice,” excerpts of the communique noted.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge currently on the Supreme Court, has been acting Chief Justice since April 2025, following Justice Torkornoo’s suspension.
Parliament is expected to conduct a vetting and approval process as the next step before his formal swearing-in by the President.
–
Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
