Parliament has approved Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the Chief Justice of Ghana following his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, November 10.
His approval on Thursday, November 13, comes after the Committee, by a majority decision, recommended the adoption of the report on the vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice.
“The Committee therefore recommends to the House by majority decision the adoption of the report of the approval of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” the Chairman, Bernard Ahiafor, said.
Presenting the Committee’s report to Parliament on Thursday, he stated that the nominee was approved upon careful deliberation.
He noted that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie demonstrated “outstanding competence, a very deep knowledge of the law, and a firm grasp of judicial ethics.”
The Committee Chairman further stated that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie addressed questions posed by the Committee with “professionalism, clarity, and intellectual rigor,” reflecting his capacity to uphold the independence, integrity, and dignity of the highest court of the land.
“The Committee is satisfied that the nominee possesses the requisite qualifications, judicial temperament, and commitment to constitutional values expected of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana,” he said.
During the debate on the Committee’s report, the Majority and Minority were sharply divided on the nomination.
The Majority side of the House supported the motion for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to be approved as Chief Justice, while the Minority opposed it, insisting that a secret ballot be conducted to formally register their opposition.
At the conclusion of the debate, the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin approved the motion for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s approval as Chief Justice through a voice vote.
“Honourable members, I think the ayes have it,” the Speaker said.
However, the Minority challenged the Speakers decision on the voice vote under Order 151(3), and demanded for a headcount.
After the headcount ended, 163 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour while 69 voted against.
MP for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, challenged the accuracy of the headcount and called for a division, a secret vote requiring the clearing of the lobbies and non-MPs from the chamber.
Mr. Iddrisu argued that the number of MPs recorded in the headcount did not reflect those who actually stood to vote “aye.”
He further alleged that some non-MPs, including the Ashanti Regional Minister, remained seated in the chamber when they should have stepped out before voting commenced.
“Mr Speaker, I made the application because I don’t believe it is the right number of MPs that stood up to vote ‘aye’. The Ashanti Regional Minister was still seated when he should have stepped out as a non-MP,” he protested.
Despite his objection, the Speaker ruled that the “ayes have it,” confirming Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s approval as Ghana’s next Chief Justice.
