President Mahama nominates Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice after Torkornoo’s removal
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Ghana, following the removal of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office earlier this month.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Tuesday, [September 23], President Mahama said the nomination was made in line with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution. The name of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been forwarded to the Council of State for consideration.
“Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has, throughout his distinguished judicial career, served with diligence and integrity at the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and currently, the Supreme Court,” the statement noted.
It added that his “invaluable contributions to the development of Ghanaian jurisprudence” and “unwavering commitment to justice” made him eminently qualified for the position.
The 68-year-old (December 26, 1956) Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 22, 2025, following the suspension of Justice Torkornoo. If approved, he will formally take over the role, becoming the head of the judiciary.
Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed in June 2023, became the first Chief Justice to be removed from office since Ghana returned to democratic rule in 1992. Her removal took effect on September 1, 2025, after a five-member committee constituted under Article 146 of the Constitution found her guilty of stated misbehaviour and recommended her dismissal.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, examined thousands of pages of evidence, heard testimonies from over 25 witnesses, and held months of in-camera hearings before submitting its report to the President.
Justice Torkornoo has described the process as a violation of natural justice and has pursued several legal challenges, including cases at the Supreme Court, High Court, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice. While the Ghanaian courts dismissed her applications, her case at the sub-regional court is still pending.
Meanwhile, President Mahama’s nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie sets the stage for the Council of State and Parliament to determine whether he will be confirmed as Ghana’s new Chief Justice.
