Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was officially sworn into office as the new Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana today, Monday, November 17, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House.
The appointment, which follows his confirmation by Parliament last week, fills the vacancy created after President Mahama dismissed former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
The ceremony was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including the Vice President, members of the Council of State, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the leadership of Parliament, and a full complement of Supreme Court Justices, alongside the new Chief Justice’s immediate family.
In his address, President Mahama lauded Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s extensive experience and commitment to the rule of law, urging him to prioritise judicial independence and the accelerated disposition of cases.
Accepting the mantle of leadership, the new Chief Justice took the prescribed oaths and immediately outlined his vision for the third arm of government, centred on comprehensive institutional reform.
A Distinguished Career of Service and Scholarship
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s rise to the apex of the Judiciary is the culmination of a distinguished career.
Educated at the University of Ghana School of Law and receiving a specialised Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Constitutional Theory from Oxford University, he has built a reputation as a scholar and a fearless jurist.
Key Career Highlights and Data:
- Judicial Tenure: Appointed to the High Court in 1993, the Court of Appeal in 2005, and the Supreme Court in 2012.
- Legal Specialization: Widely recognised for his expertise in Constitutional Law and Human Rights Jurisprudence.
- Supreme Court Contribution: Authored 87 majority opinions on the Supreme Court, with a notable focus on land ownership disputes and electoral petitions.
His appointment is expected to bring a stabilising influence to the Judiciary, offering steady leadership grounded in decades of practical experience and deep legal scholarship.
The nation now looks to the new Chief Justice to drive the necessary reforms that will ensure timely and accessible justice for all citizens.